BANGLADESH 2007 CRIME SEFTY REPORTS EDITED BY OSAC

Overall Crime and Safety SituationThe overall crime environment in Bangladesh is challenging. In theOverall Crime and Safety SituationThe overall crime environment in Bangladesh is challenging. In the past year criminal activity in country has remained constant. Car theft is on the rise in Dhaka, and crimes associated with public transportation are prevalent. Frequently, knives, firearms or incapacitating agents are used during organized street robberies against users of public transportation. Urban crime can be organized or opportunistic, conducted by individuals or groups, and commonly encompasses fraud, theft (larceny, pocket picking, snatch-and-grab), robbery (armed and unarmed), carjacking, rape, assault, and burglary (home and auto). Incidences of crime and levels of violence are higher in low-income residential and congested commercial areas. Domestic crimes against women and children (sexual assault and acid burning), organized trafficking in persons (especially women, children and boys serving as camel jockeys in the Middle East), illegal drugs, and firearms are major concerns. These organized criminal acts are far less common in foreign or expatriate communities. Political confrontations including demonstrations, marches and nationwide strikes (hartals), are unpredictable and have the potential for violence. In Bangladesh, protesters have used physical force, rocks, guns and explosive devices during confrontations. In the past, police have used rubber bullets, tear gas, live ammunition, water cannons and other riot control equipment when confronting protesters or while taking enforcement action. With the exception of infrequent anti-American demonstrations, which usually follow afternoon prayers on Fridays, political confrontations do not target Americans.Americans traveling in Bangladesh should always maintain a low profile, recognize they may be potential targets for crime or terrorism, and minimize vulnerability while driving vehicles anywhere in Bangladesh (by following safe driving practices, locking doors and rolling up windows). Major hotels in Dhaka employ their own private security personnel. While no heinous crimes have been reported at any major hotel, theft by hotel employees is a routine problem. Smaller hotels in the diplomatic enclave used by U.S. Embassy temporary duty personnel and American visitors have experienced minor crime incidents involving the theft of money and small personal items. These incidents tend to occur when the hotel room is unoccupied. Hotel management at these hotels has acted quickly to investigate or fire those responsible and under suspicion. There is not, however, always a resolution. These thefts can easily be averted by locking up all valuables. The crime and safety situation in rural areas of Bangladesh mirrors that of the rest of the country. Reports of rural crime or violence against Americans or other foreigners are rare. In the past, there have been isolated reports of robberies on private passenger buses traveling between cities as well as larcenies and pick pocketing on crowded trains. According to the police, reported incidents of crime against persons and property in rural areas are far fewer than in cities. Americans traveling in rural areas of Bangladesh should maintain a heightened state of awareness, recognize they may be potential targets for crime or terrorism, remain alert to their surroundings, and avoid high-risk areas, including large gatherings and political demonstrations.Traffic accidents, both urban and rural, result in many deaths and injuries in Bangladesh every year. Pedestrians, bicycle/auto rickshaws, baby taxis, trucks, buses, and livestock congest traffic patterns in most urban centers. Traffic accidents involving pedestrians, other vehicles (rickshaws and baby taxis) immediately draw crowds. Crowds are unpredictable and have the potential to become violent. Americans driving in Bangladesh should be alert to road conditions and their surroundings, know the locations of police stations, and drive defensively at all times. Rural driving conditions on the roadways between urban centers can be treacherous. Large passenger buses and trucks travel at break-neck speeds on narrow, poorly maintained rural roadways shared by pedestrians, rickshaws, baby taxis, and livestock. Police patrols are infrequent, and emergency medical services are very limited. Americans driving on rural roadways should be alert to road conditions and their surroundings, keep their fuel tanks full, and drive defensively at all times. Many inland waterways lack bridges so travelers must use ferries. Ferries in Bangladesh are poorly maintained, often overloaded, and operators do not have lifesaving or water rescue equipment. Political ViolenceIn recent years, global terrorist activity steadily increased against employees of the U.S. Government, U.S. companies and U.S. citizens living and working worldwide. Enhancing U.S. Government overseas security programs have made terrorist attacks on government facilities and senior government officials more difficult. These programs have, by their effectiviness, forced terrorists to seek less prominent targets. At this time, the validity of recent threats is unconfirmed, Americans should realize that they are potential targets for terrorism and take practical measures to protect themselves and their families. Awareness of the local threat, elimination of predictable travel and lifestyle routines, and security consciousness at home and at the office wil reduce vulnerability. Frequent general strikes (hartals), public demonstrations and blockades characterize political confrontation in Bangladesh. Hartals normally result in the virtual shutdown of all motorized transportation and commerce. Hartals have the potential for violence. In Bangladesh, protestors use physical force, rocks, guns and small explosive devices during confrontations. In the past, police have used rubber bullets, tear gas, live ammunition, water cannons and other riot control equipment when confronting protesters or while taking enforcement action. Political confrontrations have resulted in frequent injuries and occasional deaths. Americans should always maintain a low profile, avoid marches and demonstrations, and during hartal days, avoid all unnecessary motorized travel.During hartal violence, collateral damage can be significant. Often, individuals or groups of protesters strike out against nearby vehicles (occupied and unoccupied), storefronts and street shops, and sometimes pedestrians. Although most reported hartal violence in Dhaka takes place downtown, demonstrations and protests can occur anywhere. Hartal violence has also been reported in other major urban centers in Bangladesh, i.e. Chittagong and Sylhet. As stated above, Americans should always maintain a low profile while traveling anywhere in Bangladesh, avoid marches, demonstrations and crowds, and during hartal days, avoid travel in high-risk areas. American citizens in Bangladesh are urged to maintain a heightened level of awareness at all times, especially on Friday, the Muslim holy day. During the 2003 Iraq conflict, there were several anti-American demonstrations daily ranging in size from 150 to 100,000 people. The majority of these demonstrations took place in downtown Dhaka. In June 2003, these demonstrations ceased. However, small- to medium-sized anti-Amerian demonstrations (ranging in size from several hundred to several thousand people) in the downtown Dhaka area associated with U.S. government efforts in Iraq and internally in Bangladesh occur regularly on Friday afternoons. During the height of the domestic election-related violence on October 27-28, 2006, approximately 30 demonstrators were bludgeoned to death and more were seriously injured during violence between political parties. In Bangladesh, all Americans are advised to be aware of their surroundings and practice sound personal security habits. The increase in indigenous related terrorism in 2005 by the banned Islamic extremist group Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), remains a particular concern. Several explosions, beginning on August 17, 2005, with nearly 500 simultanous explosions, and then in November 2005 when JMB carried out several sophisticated suicide attacks (a first in the history of Bangladesh), serve as an indicator of the possibility of violence. In 2006 there were no serious acts of terrorism in Bangladesh, due largely to the Bangladesh government law enforcement and intelligence services arrests of key JMB leaders, effectively decapitating leadership from the organization.Americans in Bangladesh are urged to consider carefully the security risks when deciding whether to attend large public gatherings. Bombings in public places have occurred from time to time. In recent years, there have been grenade attacks at political rallies which have resulted in casualties. Furthermore, the JMB placed a bomb for police to find during the terrorism campaign in 2005. After a large crowd gathered around the site of the blast, two suicide bombers made their way into the crowds and detonated themselves. Several bystanders were mortally wounded in the blasts. To date, there have been no American citizens among the victims of indigenous terrorism in Bangladesh. These attacks and bombings reinforce continual embassy warnings about the possibility of violence in public places where large crowds gather. Post-Specific ConcernsFlooding in Bangladesh can be a serious problem. The drainage systems on many roads are inadequate and stagnant water is a regular feature during the monsoon season. The past year did not bring large scale flooding to Bangladesh, but generally the torrential monsoon rains have a significant impact on traveling in the country. Bangladesh lies on a fault line. It has not had a serious earthquake since 1950. It is impossible to predict how the country would be affected by a seismic event in the future although the infrastructure limitations would impact recovery. Kidnappings for ransom are not a major problem in Bangladesh. Frequently, however, the consular section handles reports of American citizens being held "hostage" by family members related to marriage disputes. Drug use and abuse is growing and crosses all social strata; heroin, marijuana, amphetamines, and injectable drugs are sold on the street. The sale and use of heroin and other narcotics in Dhaka plays an improtant role in Dhaka's overall crime profile. Heroin addiction affects all levels of society and the ages of heroin addicts range from 12-40. In Dhaka, heroin is widely available and normally sells in small quantities wrapped in tin foil. This small quantity, called a "pata" or "puri" weighs approximately .125 grams. Depending on the purity, one pata can cost from 50 cents to two dollars. A heroin addict requires at least three patas per day to sustain a habit. In Dhaka, a $6-a-day habit is very expensive, so addicts from low-income areas must steal or commit other crimes to survive (the average monthly wage in Dhaka is less than US $30 per month). Heroin can be purchased easily from local distribution houses/shacks. In addition bicycle and motorized rickshaw drivers sell heroin openly on the street. Speed, tidgestic or buprenorphine (injectable drug), and pethidine (morphine) are also available for a price. Finally, phensydil (codeine) is widely available and often a drug of choice both in urban and rural areas. Marijuana is widely used by college students and is inexpensive. It is cultivated in the western part of the country and readily available from drug dealers. Police ResponseLocal police do not effectively deter crime and response to alarms or emergency calls is often too slow to disrupt burglaries or invasive crimes in progress. Local neighborhood police stations lack adequate resources, including personnel, vehicles, record/case management equipment and supplies, IT technology, radios and telephones, and emergency response capabilities. When the police respond, they often employ obsolete tactics. When called to defuse an explosive device, in the past, police officers have been injured or killed while trying to pick up the device and place it in a bucket of water (assuming the power source will then be disrupted by the water). Staffing within the Bangladesh police organizations is influenced by political connections and social standing. Uniformed constables are normally recruited from the lower-income levels of society. These men and women have few opportunities to advance to higher levels with more responsibility and pay. Investigator-level police personnel, both uniformed and plainclothed, are recruited from local universities, academy-trained, and assigned to field or headquarters positions of responsibility. These mid- to upper-level police personnel can advance to higher paying positions with more authority. Most senior police officials are seconded military officers, political appointees, or career policemen. Limited resources are not evenly distributed throughout the ranks. Before police investigate a crime, victims must first file a report (general diary entry) at the local police headquarters with jurisdiction in the area where the crime was committed. Most constable-level police personnel do not speak English. Americans who are victims of crime while visiting Bangladesh should report incidents to the U.S. Embassy American Citizen Services (ACS) Consular Representative. Americans who are arrested or detained in Bangladesh should also contact the U.S. Embassy ACS representative for assistance.From any telephone in Bangladesh, the numbers 999 can be dialed for immediate police assistance.Medical EmergenciesHealth problems are prevalent. In particular, gastrointestinal problems are common. Visitors must excercise care in what they eat and drink; food diseases are common. All tap water should be presumed to be contaminated, even in hotels. Visitors are advised to drink bottled/boiled water and eat only fruits and vegetables that have been cooked and peeled. Undercooked meat should be avoided. Travelers should also avoid eating uncooked dairy products and food sold on the streets. Visitors who take medication on a regular basis should bring enough for the duration of their visit. It is not always possible to find equivalents for American prescriptions on the local market. In general, local medicial facilities do not meet U.S. standards.Most large urban centers in Bangladesh have medical facilities (state-sponsored, NGO and private) but they are substandard and ill-equipped in comparison to equivalent U.S. facilities. In Dhaka, Apollo Medical Center has recently opened. While still new, all indications are that minor needs can easily be treated at the facility. U.S.-standard emergency services (e.g. ambulance, fire/paramedic rescue, and police) do not exist. Emergency medical response capabilities are limited and where ambulances are available, they are undependable, usually in poor running condition, and lack rudimentary emergency medical equipment.Tips on How to Avoid Becoming a VictimIn addition to what was stated above, Americans should be aware of their surroundings at all times, avoid predictable behavior, crowds and/or large public gatherings, marches, and demonstrations, and not accept packages from unknown individuals. Sensitive or personal matters should not be discussed over local telephone lines. Americans should avoid carrying large sums of money, wearing expensive jewelry or walking alone at night. Valuables should be stored in the hotel safety deposit box and should not be left unattended in hotel rooms.Embassy ContactsRegional Security Office: 880 (2) 885-5500 ext. 2228Consular Office: 880 (2) 885-5500 ext 2602Political/Economic Office 880 (2) 885-5500 ext 2252OSAC Country CouncilThe Dhaka Country Council meets quarterly. Please contact the Regional Security Office for more information. past year criminal activity in country has remained constant. Car theft is on the rise in Dhaka, and crimes associated with public transportation are prevalent. Frequently, knives, firearms or incapacitating agents are used during organized street robberies against users of public transportation. Urban crime can be organized or opportunistic, conducted by individuals or groups, and commonly encompasses fraud, theft (larceny, pocket picking, snatch-and-grab), robbery (armed and unarmed), carjacking, rape, assault, and burglary (home and auto). Incidences of crime and levels of violence are higher in low-income residential and congested commercial areas. Domestic crimes against women and children (sexual assault and acid burning), organized trafficking in persons (especially women, children and boys serving as camel jockeys in the Middle East), illegal drugs, and firearms are major concerns. These organized criminal acts are far less common in foreign or expatriate communities. Political confrontations including demonstrations, marches and nationwide strikes (hartals), are unpredictable and have the potential for violence. In Bangladesh, protesters have used physical force, rocks, guns and explosive devices during confrontations. In the past, police have used rubber bullets, tear gas, live ammunition, water cannons and other riot control equipment when confronting protesters or while taking enforcement action. With the exception of infrequent anti-American demonstrations, which usually follow afternoon prayers on Fridays, political confrontations do not target Americans.Americans traveling in Bangladesh should always maintain a low profile, recognize they may be potential targets for crime or terrorism, and minimize vulnerability while driving vehicles anywhere in Bangladesh (by following safe driving practices, locking doors and rolling up windows). Major hotels in Dhaka employ their own private security personnel. While no heinous crimes have been reported at any major hotel, theft by hotel employees is a routine problem. Smaller hotels in the diplomatic enclave used by U.S. Embassy temporary duty personnel and American visitors have experienced minor crime incidents involving the theft of money and small personal items. These incidents tend to occur when the hotel room is unoccupied. Hotel management at these hotels has acted quickly to investigate or fire those responsible and under suspicion. There is not, however, always a resolution. These thefts can easily be averted by locking up all valuables. The crime and safety situation in rural areas of Bangladesh mirrors that of the rest of the country. Reports of rural crime or violence against Americans or other foreigners are rare. In the past, there have been isolated reports of robberies on private passenger buses traveling between cities as well as larcenies and pick pocketing on crowded trains. According to the police, reported incidents of crime against persons and property in rural areas are far fewer than in cities. Americans traveling in rural areas of Bangladesh should maintain a heightened state of awareness, recognize they may be potential targets for crime or terrorism, remain alert to their surroundings, and avoid high-risk areas, including large gatherings and political demonstrations.Traffic accidents, both urban and rural, result in many deaths and injuries in Bangladesh every year. Pedestrians, bicycle/auto rickshaws, baby taxis, trucks, buses, and livestock congest traffic patterns in most urban centers. Traffic accidents involving pedestrians, other vehicles (rickshaws and baby taxis) immediately draw crowds. Crowds are unpredictable and have the potential to become violent. Americans driving in Bangladesh should be alert to road conditions and their surroundings, know the locations of police stations, and drive defensively at all times. Rural driving conditions on the roadways between urban centers can be treacherous. Large passenger buses and trucks travel at break-neck speeds on narrow, poorly maintained rural roadways shared by pedestrians, rickshaws, baby taxis, and livestock. Police patrols are infrequent, and emergency medical services are very limited. Americans driving on rural roadways should be alert to road conditions and their surroundings, keep their fuel tanks full, and drive defensively at all times. Many inland waterways lack bridges so travelers must use ferries. Ferries in Bangladesh are poorly maintained, often overloaded, and operators do not have lifesaving or water rescue equipment. Political ViolenceIn recent years, global terrorist activity steadily increased against employees of the U.S. Government, U.S. companies and U.S. citizens living and working worldwide. Enhancing U.S. Government overseas security programs have made terrorist attacks on government facilities and senior government officials more difficult. These programs have, by their effectiviness, forced terrorists to seek less prominent targets. At this time, the validity of recent threats is unconfirmed, Americans should realize that they are potential targets for terrorism and take practical measures to protect themselves and their families. Awareness of the local threat, elimination of predictable travel and lifestyle routines, and security consciousness at home and at the office wil reduce vulnerability. Frequent general strikes (hartals), public demonstrations and blockades characterize political confrontation in Bangladesh. Hartals normally result in the virtual shutdown of all motorized transportation and commerce. Hartals have the potential for violence. In Bangladesh, protestors use physical force, rocks, guns and small explosive devices during confrontations. In the past, police have used rubber bullets, tear gas, live ammunition, water cannons and other riot control equipment when confronting protesters or while taking enforcement action. Political confrontrations have resulted in frequent injuries and occasional deaths. Americans should always maintain a low profile, avoid marches and demonstrations, and during hartal days, avoid all unnecessary motorized travel.During hartal violence, collateral damage can be significant. Often, individuals or groups of protesters strike out against nearby vehicles (occupied and unoccupied), storefronts and street shops, and sometimes pedestrians. Although most reported hartal violence in Dhaka takes place downtown, demonstrations and protests can occur anywhere. Hartal violence has also been reported in other major urban centers in Bangladesh, i.e. Chittagong and Sylhet. As stated above, Americans should always maintain a low profile while traveling anywhere in Bangladesh, avoid marches, demonstrations and crowds, and during hartal days, avoid travel in high-risk areas. American citizens in Bangladesh are urged to maintain a heightened level of awareness at all times, especially on Friday, the Muslim holy day. During the 2003 Iraq conflict, there were several anti-American demonstrations daily ranging in size from 150 to 100,000 people. The majority of these demonstrations took place in downtown Dhaka. In June 2003, these demonstrations ceased. However, small- to medium-sized anti-Amerian demonstrations (ranging in size from several hundred to several thousand people) in the downtown Dhaka area associated with U.S. government efforts in Iraq and internally in Bangladesh occur regularly on Friday afternoons. During the height of the domestic election-related violence on October 27-28, 2006, approximately 30 demonstrators were bludgeoned to death and more were seriously injured during violence between political parties. In Bangladesh, all Americans are advised to be aware of their surroundings and practice sound personal security habits. The increase in indigenous related terrorism in 2005 by the banned Islamic extremist group Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), remains a particular concern. Several explosions, beginning on August 17, 2005, with nearly 500 simultanous explosions, and then in November 2005 when JMB carried out several sophisticated suicide attacks (a first in the history of Bangladesh), serve as an indicator of the possibility of violence. In 2006 there were no serious acts of terrorism in Bangladesh, due largely to the Bangladesh government law enforcement and intelligence services arrests of key JMB leaders, effectively decapitating leadership from the organization.Americans in Bangladesh are urged to consider carefully the security risks when deciding whether to attend large public gatherings. Bombings in public places have occurred from time to time. In recent years, there have been grenade attacks at political rallies which have resulted in casualties. Furthermore, the JMB placed a bomb for police to find during the terrorism campaign in 2005. After a large crowd gathered around the site of the blast, two suicide bombers made their way into the crowds and detonated themselves. Several bystanders were mortally wounded in the blasts. To date, there have been no American citizens among the victims of indigenous terrorism in Bangladesh. These attacks and bombings reinforce continual embassy warnings about the possibility of violence in public places where large crowds gather. Post-Specific ConcernsFlooding in Bangladesh can be a serious problem. The drainage systems on many roads are inadequate and stagnant water is a regular feature during the monsoon season. The past year did not bring large scale flooding to Bangladesh, but generally the torrential monsoon rains have a significant impact on traveling in the country. Bangladesh lies on a fault line. It has not had a serious earthquake since 1950. It is impossible to predict how the country would be affected by a seismic event in the future although the infrastructure limitations would impact recovery. Kidnappings for ransom are not a major problem in Bangladesh. Frequently, however, the consular section handles reports of American citizens being held "hostage" by family members related to marriage disputes. Drug use and abuse is growing and crosses all social strata; heroin, marijuana, amphetamines, and injectable drugs are sold on the street. The sale and use of heroin and other narcotics in Dhaka plays an improtant role in Dhaka's overall crime profile. Heroin addiction affects all levels of society and the ages of heroin addicts range from 12-40. In Dhaka, heroin is widely available and normally sells in small quantities wrapped in tin foil. This small quantity, called a "pata" or "puri" weighs approximately .125 grams. Depending on the purity, one pata can cost from 50 cents to two dollars. A heroin addict requires at least three patas per day to sustain a habit. In Dhaka, a $6-a-day habit is very expensive, so addicts from low-income areas must steal or commit other crimes to survive (the average monthly wage in Dhaka is less than US $30 per month). Heroin can be purchased easily from local distribution houses/shacks. In addition bicycle and motorized rickshaw drivers sell heroin openly on the street. Speed, tidgestic or buprenorphine (injectable drug), and pethidine (morphine) are also available for a price. Finally, phensydil (codeine) is widely available and often a drug of choice both in urban and rural areas. Marijuana is widely used by college students and is inexpensive. It is cultivated in the western part of the country and readily available from drug dealers. Police ResponseLocal police do not effectively deter crime and response to alarms or emergency calls is often too slow to disrupt burglaries or invasive crimes in progress. Local neighborhood police stations lack adequate resources, including personnel, vehicles, record/case management equipment and supplies, IT technology, radios and telephones, and emergency response capabilities. When the police respond, they often employ obsolete tactics. When called to defuse an explosive device, in the past, police officers have been injured or killed while trying to pick up the device and place it in a bucket of water (assuming the power source will then be disrupted by the water). Staffing within the Bangladesh police organizations is influenced by political connections and social standing. Uniformed constables are normally recruited from the lower-income levels of society. These men and women have few opportunities to advance to higher levels with more responsibility and pay. Investigator-level police personnel, both uniformed and plainclothed, are recruited from local universities, academy-trained, and assigned to field or headquarters positions of responsibility. These mid- to upper-level police personnel can advance to higher paying positions with more authority. Most senior police officials are seconded military officers, political appointees, or career policemen. Limited resources are not evenly distributed throughout the ranks. Before police investigate a crime, victims must first file a report (general diary entry) at the local police headquarters with jurisdiction in the area where the crime was committed. Most constable-level police personnel do not speak English. Americans who are victims of crime while visiting Bangladesh should report incidents to the U.S. Embassy American Citizen Services (ACS) Consular Representative. Americans who are arrested or detained in Bangladesh should also contact the U.S. Embassy ACS representative for assistance.From any telephone in Bangladesh, the numbers 999 can be dialed for immediate police assistance.Medical EmergenciesHealth problems are prevalent. In particular, gastrointestinal problems are common. Visitors must excercise care in what they eat and drink; food diseases are common. All tap water should be presumed to be contaminated, even in hotels. Visitors are advised to drink bottled/boiled water and eat only fruits and vegetables that have been cooked and peeled. Undercooked meat should be avoided. Travelers should also avoid eating uncooked dairy products and food sold on the streets. Visitors who take medication on a regular basis should bring enough for the duration of their visit. It is not always possible to find equivalents for American prescriptions on the local market. In general, local medicial facilities do not meet U.S. standards.Most large urban centers in Bangladesh have medical facilities (state-sponsored, NGO and private) but they are substandard and ill-equipped in comparison to equivalent U.S. facilities. In Dhaka, Apollo Medical Center has recently opened. While still new, all indications are that minor needs can easily be treated at the facility. U.S.-standard emergency services (e.g. ambulance, fire/paramedic rescue, and police) do not exist. Emergency medical response capabilities are limited and where ambulances are available, they are undependable, usually in poor running condition, and lack rudimentary emergenzcy medical equipment.Tips on How to Avoid Becoming a VictimIn addition to what was stated above, Americans should be aware of their surroundings at all times, avoid predictable behavior, crowds and/or large public gatherings, marches, and demonstrations, and not accept packages from unknown individuals. Sensitive or personal matters should not be discussed over local telephone lines. Americans should avoid carrying large sums of money, wearing expensive jewelry or walking alone at night. Valuables should be stored in the hotel safety deposit box and should not be left unattended in hotel rooms.Embassy ContactsRegional Security Office: 880 (2) 885-5500 ext. 2228Consular Office: 880 (2) 885-5500 ext 2602Political/Economic Office 880 (2) 885-5500 ext 2252OSAC Country CouncilThe Dhaka Country Council meets quarterly. Please contact the Regional Security Office for more information.