Germany issues advisory against travel to Bangladesh – DW – 22/07/2024

The German Foreign Ministry has advised its citizens to avoid travelling to Bangladesh. “A curfew has been imposed following violent clashes, and internet and mobile services are blocked,” the ministry said in a message posted on X on Sunday.

The office expects the situation in the South Asian country to worsen. “More than 100 people have already died in demonstrations and protests,” the report said.

Germans already in Bangladesh have been advised to register on the crisis preparedness list.

What is the current political situation in Bangladesh?

The notice came shortly after a new curfew was imposed on Friday. Bangladesh is gripped by nationwide protests against a reservation system that was scrapped in 2018 following widespread student protests.

The old quota system reserved more than half of civil service positions for specific groups.

A court reintroduced the system, following which mass protests began in early July, with many young people feeling disadvantaged by the system.

The Supreme Court on Sunday weakened the plan to reintroduce the system. However, student leaders do not appear happy with the changes.

Armed forces have been deployed across the country as police have failed to control the riots. Internet access has been restricted in the country since Thursday.

The US State Department had also warned Americans on Saturday not to travel to Bangladesh and said it would begin expelling some diplomats and their families from the country.

tg/wd (dpa, AFP)