WASHINGTON, D. C. July 21: The U.S. State Department announced on Saturday that it has elevated its travel advisory for Bangladesh to level four, urging American citizens to avoid travel to the Asian country due to ongoing civil unrest amid widespread protests.

The advisory follows the State Department’s authorization for the voluntary departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and their families from Bangladesh. This escalation comes just a day after the department had advised reconsidering travel to the country.

Massive protests have erupted in Bangladesh, driven by student anger over a quota system that allocates 30% of government jobs to the families of those who fought for independence from Pakistan in 1971. The unrest has led to violent clashes between protesters and police, who have used tear gas to disperse crowds. The Bangladeshi government has responded by banning public gatherings, imposing communication restrictions, deploying the army in certain areas, and enforcing a curfew. Dozens of people have been killed over the past week.

 “Travelers should not travel to Bangladesh due to ongoing civil unrest in Dhaka. Demonstrations and violent clashes have been reported throughout the city of Dhaka, its neighboring areas, and throughout Bangladesh,” the State Department said in a statement. The advisory also noted potential delays in routine consular services due to the security situation.

Additionally, U.S. Embassy personnel in Bangladesh are subject to movement and travel restrictions because of security concerns, which may limit their ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in the country.

Both the United States and Canada have called on Bangladesh to uphold the right to peaceful protest and have expressed concern over the recent violence. The protests center around public sector job quotas, which have sparked anger among students facing high youth unemployment rates. Nearly 32 million young Bangladeshis are not in work or education out of a total population of 170 million.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced that the government will form a judicial committee to investigate the killings linked to the protests.

As the situation develops, travelers are advised to stay informed of the latest updates and heed the advice of local authorities and international advisories.