Travel Advisory for Bangladesh
For details, please check the link below.
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Danger Levels and Points
[Danger Levels]
● Entire Bangladesh excluding the areas below
Level 2: Avoid non-essential travel. (Upgraded)
● Chittagong Hill Tracts (Khagrachari, Rangamati, Bandarban)
Level 2: Avoid non-essential travel. (Continued)
[Points]
● In Bangladesh, following the Supreme Court’s declaration of the abolition of the quota system for civil servant recruitment as unconstitutional in June 2024, student groups demanding the reform of this system have been holding protests, demonstrations, and traffic blockades nationwide since July 2, 2024. Clashes between these student groups and opposing student organizations and security forces have resulted in numerous injuries and fatalities, including in multiple cities such as Dhaka. Additionally, the Bangladeshi government issued a curfew on July 19 in response to the protests.
● Sporadic bomb attacks targeting security forces occurred between 2019 and 2020, and new militant groups based in Bangladesh were identified in 2023, indicating that the threat of terrorism remains.
● In the Chittagong Hill Tracts, where many Buddhist ethnic minorities reside, ethnic conflicts remain unresolved. Security operations by Bangladeshi forces in this area continue to result in travel restrictions along parts of the Myanmar border, maintaining an unstable security situation requiring ongoing vigilance.
● Considering these circumstances, avoid non-essential travel to Bangladesh. If travel is unavoidable, exercise special caution and implement adequate safety measures.
1. Overview
(1) Political Situation
A. Following the Supreme Court’s declaration in June 2024 that the abolition of the quota system for civil servant recruitment was unconstitutional, student groups have been holding protests and traffic blockades nationwide, including in Dhaka and regional cities, since July 2, 2024.
B. The nationwide protests and blockades have caused traffic disruptions and clashes between protesting student groups, opposing student organizations, and security forces, resulting in numerous injuries and fatalities, especially in Dhaka since July 16.
C. Communication, except by telephone, is extremely unstable, and the Bangladeshi government has issued a curfew as of July 19.
D. Various other protests continue to occur nationwide. Stay updated through the media and exercise caution to avoid unexpected incidents. Avoid approaching protest sites and leave immediately if encountered.
(2) Terrorism Situation
A. Past incidents targeted foreigners, non-Sunni Muslims, and security personnel, with major events such as the killing of a Japanese national in Rangpur in October 2015 and the Dhaka attack in July 2016, where an armed group took hostages, resulting in the deaths of over 20 people, including seven Japanese nationals. ISIL Bangladesh claimed responsibility for these and subsequent attacks.
B. Since 2016, the Bangladeshi government has been actively disrupting plans by Islamic extremists. While there have been no terrorist attacks targeting foreigners since 2016, materials for bombs continue to be seized from militant bases. New militant groups were identified in 2023, and continued vigilance is necessary.
For details, refer to Bangladesh’s “Terrorism and Kidnapping Situation.”
Specific precautions include:
[Actions]
● Do not make your plans widely known and act discreetly.
● Avoid using the same routes and times for commuting or shopping, and do not establish a fixed daily routine.
● Use vehicles for transportation when going out.
● Avoid going out early in the morning or at night and complete tasks during daylight hours.
● When parking vehicles, especially when getting in or out, carefully check for suspicious individuals or vehicles (including motorcycles) nearby.
[Places to Visit]
● Stay informed about the latest security situation, constantly check the security and guard status of your accommodation and specific destinations.
● Avoid places that are likely targets of terrorism (restaurants with many foreigners, Western-related facilities, government facilities, public transportation, tourist spots, religious sites, police stations, shopping malls, public schools, markets, etc.). If visiting such places is unavoidable, take safety measures like shortening your stay, checking escape routes, and always being aware of your surroundings. If you sense anything suspicious, leave the area immediately.
[Timing]
● Avoid non-essential outings during religious events, seasonal festivals, or large-scale events.
● In Islam, Friday is a day of congregational prayers, and there may be terrorist attacks or assaults during this time, so avoid places like mosques that could be potential targets.
(3) General Crime
Crime rates have been rising year by year across the country, especially drug-related incidents in recent years. While police arrest rates have increased rapidly since 2016, serious crimes like kidnapping, murder, and robbery still frequently occur, with some Japanese tourists and business travelers falling victim.
2. Regional Situation
(1) Entire Bangladesh excluding the areas below
Level 2: Avoid non-essential travel. (Upgraded)
A. Dhaka Division
Political clashes have resulted in casualties as mentioned in 1(1).
While security operations against extremists are actively promoted by authorities, resulting in past terrorist incidents near Dhaka International Airport and the Independence Memorial Museum in 2017, and several bomb attacks targeting police in 2019, no fatalities were reported due to the poor quality of homemade bombs. No terrorist incidents involving Japanese nationals have occurred since then.
B. Areas other than Dhaka Division
Political clashes have caused casualties as mentioned in 1(1).
In terms of terrorism, while two notable secular figures were killed in 2018, no fatal terrorist incidents have occurred since. However, sporadic bomb attacks targeting police have continued between 2019 and early 2020, resulting in injuries to police and civilians.
(2) Chittagong Hill Tracts (Khagrachari, Rangamati, Bandarban)
Level 2: Avoid non-essential travel. (Continued)
A. The Chittagong Hill Tracts, bordering India and Myanmar in the southeast, are home to over a million Buddhist ethnic minorities. Despite the 1997 Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, ethnic conflicts remain unresolved, and the security situation remains uncertain, necessitating continued vigilance.
B. In March 2019, an armed group ambushed and fired at vehicles transporting ballot boxes in Rangamati, killing at least seven and injuring 15. Around July 2022, fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA) intensified near the Myanmar border, with shells reportedly landing inside Bangladesh.
Therefore, avoid non-essential travel to Bangladesh. If travel is unavoidable, exercise special caution and implement adequate safety measures.
3. Precautions for Travel and Stay
(1) General Precautions for Travelers
While staying in Bangladesh, be mindful of the information and precautions below to avoid danger. Additionally, please read the “Safety Measures Basic Data” for Bangladesh.
Keep yourself updated with the latest information from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh, local authorities, and various media outlets. In case of involvement in an incident, emergency, or potential emergency, please submit a residence report or register with “Tabi-Regi” as per (2) below for safety confirmation and emergency contact.
A. Precautions Against Protests
Protesters may block roads or throw stones. Avoid approaching protest sites, and if you know in advance where protests will occur, avoid those areas. If you encounter unusual traffic congestion, take detours and maintain close contact with police, family, or organizational representatives if caught in a protest, prioritizing your safety.
B. Precautions Against Terrorism
Be aware of the need for vigilance against terrorism. Stay updated on the security situation through information issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the media. Especially when visiting places likely to be targets of Islamic extremists (mentioned in “1(2) Terrorism Situation”), be aware of your surroundings, and if you detect anything suspicious, leave immediately and take safety precautions.
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