A revised travel recommendation for Bangladesh has been released by the UK government, alerting its people to the increased danger of terrorist attacks. On December 4, 2024, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued this advice, which highlights that “terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks” in the nation, with a focus on public areas, places of worship, and political gatherings that foreign people frequently attend.
Violence against religious minorities, especially the Hindu minority, which has experienced more than 200 attacks since August 2024, is reflected in the alert. Recent political turmoil following the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das on sedition charges has made this spike in violence worse. Some groups have particularly targeted people whose ideas and lifestyles deviate from Islamic norms, according to the UK authorities.
The alert warns UK citizens to stay away from places with a high police presence and big gatherings due to the possibility of indiscriminate attacks. The FCDO added that security measures might be quickly increased and that Bangladeshi officials are actively working to thwart potential assaults.
Ignoring the recommendation could impact the validity of travel insurance, however it is meant to be a guideline rather than a legal requirement. In order to protect minority populations and religious freedoms, the UK government is nevertheless keeping a careful eye on the issue and communicating with Bangladeshi authorities.
