US issues demonstration alert for its citizens in Bangladesh

Staff Reporter :
In the wake of escalating unrest caused by blockade programmes of opposition political parties and garment workers demonstration for wage hike, the US Embassy in Dhaka on Sunday issued a demonstration alert for the safety of its citizens.

It said that garment sector workers seeking a minimum wage increase continue to demonstrate in the Gazipur district, 16 miles north of the capital, Dhaka.

These protests have led to violent confrontations with police. US citizens are advised to avoid the Gazipur area while these protests continue, it said.

In addition, as the next general election is anticipated to occur sometime in January 2024, political party rallies, protests, strikes (hartals), blockades, and other election-related activities may occur with increasing frequency and intensity, the alert said. ??

The US citizens should practice vigilance and remember that demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. Demonstrations may also occur with little or no warning.??

“You should avoid demonstrations and exercise caution in the vicinity of any large gatherings.??Review personal security plans; remain aware of your surroundings, including local events; and monitor local news stations for updates,” the Embassy said.

Due to increased tensions in various locations around the world,
and the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations, or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, U.S. citizens overseas should exercise increased caution.

U.S. government personnel in Bangladesh live, work, and travel under strict security guidelines and are subject to movement and travel restrictions.

“During times of demonstrations and civil unrest these travel restrictions may be enhanced.

For example, this could mean limiting all but essential travel to the diplomatic enclave and nearby neighborhoods of Baridhara, Gulshan, and Banani.

The US government may have limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Bangladesh due to these travel restrictions,” it cautioned.

The US Embassy has been issuing alerts off and on observing the current unrest political landscape.

A big chunk of opposition political leaders especially the Bangladesh Nationalist Party have been arrested recently over the incident of Oct 28.

Though the international bodies including the United States are calling on the government to end the ‘arbitrary arrest’ ahead of the parliamentary election, they found no restraint by the law enforcers.

The Election Commission is almost ready to announce the schedule as it wants to hold the election at any means, as said by the Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal after his meeting with the President Mohammed Shahabuddin recently.

But the opposition political parties are saying that the schedule should not be declared as the political consensus and the level playing field for free and fair election have not been created yet.

Currently BNP and other opposition political parties are holding intermittent blockade programmes to realise their demand for a caretaker government or an election time government because they said that election under the incumbent government would not be free and fair.

Due to this political standoff, the entire political landscape is now boiling in tensions.