Kanishka Singh
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. State Department said on Saturday it had raised its travel warning for Bangladesh to level four, urging people not to travel to the Asian country because of what Washington called “civil unrest” amid protests.
The U.S. State Department also stated that it has authorized non-emergency U.S. government employees and their families to voluntarily leave Bangladesh. A day earlier, the department urged people to reconsider traveling to the country.
why it’s important
Massive protests have broken out in Bangladesh as students are angry over a quota of 30% of government jobs reserved for the families of those who fought for Pakistan’s independence.
Police fired tear gas in some areas to disperse protesters, while the government banned public gatherings, imposed communications restrictions, deployed the military in some areas and imposed curfews. Dozens of people have died in the past week.
Key Quotes
“Due to ongoing civil unrest in Dhaka, travelers should not travel to Bangladesh. Demonstrations and violent clashes have been reported in Dhaka city, its adjacent areas, and throughout Bangladesh,” the U.S. State Department said in a statement.
“Due to the security situation, the provision of routine consular services may be delayed,” the statement added.
The U.S. State Department also stated that due to security concerns, U.S. Embassy personnel in Bangladesh are subject to some movement and travel restrictions, which may limit their ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Bangladesh.
reaction
The United States and Canada have called on Bangladesh to uphold the right to peaceful protest and expressed concern about violence in the country in recent days.
context
Students are protesting against public sector job quotas, which include a 30% reservation for the families of fighters in Pakistan’s 1971 war of independence. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the government would set up a judicial commission to investigate the killings.
The quotas have sparked outrage among students who face high youth unemployment, with nearly 32 million young people out of a total population of 170 million not working or in school.
