Travel Information

Warden Message, January 17, 2006

Police sources have confirmed the following protests are planned for today, January 17, 2006:

The opposition 14 party alliance led by the Awami League will organize a country-wide demonstration today in protest of the new appointments of two election commissioners.

In Dhaka, the demonstration will be held at Bangabandhu Avenue at 1100 hours.

We recommend that American citizens avoid the following downtown areas during these demonstrations:

Muktangan, Purana Paltan, Gulistan, GPO, Bangabandhu Avenue, National Press Club.

Police sources further confirmed that The 14 Party Alliance called for a country-wide dawn to dusk (6 am to 6 pm) Hartal on Sunday, January 22 in protest of the same issue.

We wish to remind American Citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn violent. American Citizens are urged to avoid these areas if possible, and to exercise caution whenever they are in the vicinity of demonstrations. We advise all Americans to avoid large public gatherings, especially if an incident has just occurred.

The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka can be reached at (880-2) 885-5500 during regular hours and for after-hours emergencies. Our website address is dhaka.usembassy.gov . For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Bangladesh Consular Information Sheet and other Public Announcements and Travel Warnings can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S.; or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 am to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays)

 

U.S. Embassy
Dhaka, Bangladesh.