Australians have been urged to reconsider travel to Bangladesh in the wake of weekend elections in the South Asian country marred by violence.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade today raised its travel warning to “reconsider your need to travel” because of the possibility of further violence following the January 5 poll, which was won by the Awami League government after the main opposition party boycotted the poll.“Further hartals (general strikes), transport blockades and violent clashes between political groups and security forces are likely,” the advice states.
“In the current environment, Australians in Bangladesh should not expect to travel or go about their business normally.”
At least 18 people were killed in clashes on January 5 and several hundred were killed during political violence throughout 2013, the department said.
There are 779 Australian citizens currently registered with DFAT’s Smartraveller service as being in Bangladesh, and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has expressed concern about the continuing political unrest.
She said the government and the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party have a shared responsibility to hold a new, fully contested and transparent election as soon as possible.
“The Australian government condemns the attacks against minorities, and calls on all sides to end the political violence,” Ms Bishop said in a statement.
“It is vital that the people of Bangladesh are able to express their democratic will and exercise real choice.”
“Reconsider your need to travel” is the second highest of four warning levels used by DFAT, and places Bangladesh alongside countries such as Egypt, Pakistan, Lebanon and Iran which the department has placed at the warning level. – Herald Sun via Google
