U.S. Department of State Seal
U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE — BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS

International Parental Child Abduction

English

Country Information

Bangladesh

Bangladesh
People's Republic of Bangladesh
Reconsider travel to Bangladesh due to civil unrest, crime, and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Updated to reflect the Travel Advisory Level, Level 4 area, information on civil unrest, and the removal of Ordered Departure information.

Reconsider travel to Bangladesh due to civil unrest, crime, and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do not travel to:

  • The Khagrachari, Rangamati, and Bandarban Hill Tracts districts (collectively known as the Chittagong Hill Tracts) due to communal violence, crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and other security risks.

Country Summary: Since the July 2024 civil unrest, violent clashes have largely ended, but conditions may change on short notice.  U.S. citizens are reminded to avoid all gatherings, even peaceful ones, that could turn violent with little or no warning.

Travelers should be aware of petty crimes such as pickpocketing in crowded areas.  Crimes such as muggings, burglaries, assaults, and illegal drug trafficking constitute most criminal activity in Bangladesh’s major cities, but there are no indications foreigners are being targeted because of their nationality.  These crimes tend to be situational, based on time and location.

Terrorist attacks can happen with little or no warning, with terrorists targeting public areas such as tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, restaurants, places of worship, school campuses, and government facilities.

Because of security concerns, U.S. Embassy personnel in Bangladesh are subject to some travel restrictions. The U.S. government may have limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Bangladesh, particularly outside of Dhaka, due to these travel restrictions, a lack of infrastructure, and limited host government emergency response resources.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Bangladesh.

If you decide to travel to Bangladesh:

  • Avoid demonstrations and political gatherings; demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and quickly escalate into violence. 
  • Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust plans.
  • Do not physically resist any robbery attempt. Get to a safe area and report any criminal incident to local authorities.
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts including updates on consular services and so it is easier to locate you in an emergency.
  • Follow the State Department on Facebook or X.
  • Review the Country Security Report for Bangladesh.
  • Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
  • Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Please review the Traveler’s Checklist.

 Level 4: Do Not Travel - Chittagong Hill Tracts Region

The Khagrachari, Rangamati, and Bandarban Hill Tracts districts (collectively known as the Chittagong Hill Tracts) experience occasional communal violence, crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and other security risks. Kidnappings have occurred in the region, including those motivated by domestic or familial disputes, and those targeting members of religious minorities.  Separatist organizations and political violence also pose additional threats to visitors to the region, and there have been instances of IED explosions and active shooting.  Prior approval from the Government of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Home Affairs Office of Public Safety is required if you plan to travel to these areas.

Please visit our website for information on Travel to High-Risk Areas.

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Hague Convention Participation

Party to the Hague Abduction Convention?
No
U.S. Treaty Partner under the Hague Abduction Convention?
No

What You Can Do

Learn how to respond to abductions FROM the US
Learn how to respond to abductions TO the US

U.S. Embassy Dhaka

Madani Avenue, 
Baridhara, Dhaka, 1212 
Bangladesh 
Telephone: +(88) (2) 5566-2000 
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(88) (2) 5566-2000. When you hear the recorded message, press “3” to connect with the Embassy Duty Officer 
Fax: +(88) (2) 5566-2907 
Email:DhakaACS@state.gov 
The Consular Section’s American Citizen Services unit operates Sunday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by appointment only. 

For information concerning travel to Bangladesh, including information about the location of the U.S. Embassy, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, entry/exit requirements, safety and security, crime, medical facilities and health information, traffic safety, road conditions and aviation safety, please see country-specific information for Bangladesh.

The U.S. Department of State reports statistics and compliance information for individual countries in the Annual Report on International Child Abduction. The report is located here.

Bangladesh is not a signatory to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Abduction Convention), nor are there any bilateral agreements in force between Bangladesh and the United States concerning international parental child abduction.

Legal systems and laws pertaining to custody, divorce, and parental abduction vary widely from country to country. The government of Bangladesh maintains information about custody, visitation, and family law online. Those interested can find information regarding Bangladesh’s 1890 Guardians and Wards Act here and 1985 Family Courts ordinance here.

Parents are encouraged to consult with an attorney who specializes in family law in Bangladesh and who can provide accurate legal guidance specific to their circumstances.

The Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, Directorate for Overseas Citizens Services, Office of Children’s Issues provides assistance in cases of international parental child abduction.  For U.S. citizen parents whose children have been wrongfully removed to or retained in countries that are not U.S. partners under the Hague Abduction Convention, the Office of Children’s Issues can provide information and resources about country-specific options for pursuing the return of or access to an abducted child.  The Office of Children’s Issues may also coordinate with appropriate foreign and U.S. government authorities about the welfare of abducted U.S. citizen children.  Parents are strongly encouraged to contact the Department of State for assistance.

Contact information:

U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children's
CA/OCS/CI
SA-17, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20522-1709
Website: travel.state.gov
Email: NSB-IPCA@state.gov

The refusal of one parent to surrender custody of a child to another parent, is not recognized as a form of child abduction in Bangladesh.

Parents may wish to consult with an attorney in the United States and in Bangladesh to learn more about how filing criminal charges may impact a custody case in a Bangladeshi court. Please see Pressing Criminal Charges for more information.

Legal systems and laws pertaining to custody, divorce, and parental abduction vary widely from country to country.  Parents are encouraged to consult with an attorney who specializes in family law in Bangladesh and who can provide accurate legal guidance that is specific to their circumstances.

The Office of Children’s Issues may be able to assist parents seeking access to children who have been wrongfully removed from or retained outside the United States.  Parents who are seeking access to children who were not wrongfully removed from or retained outside the United States should contact the U.S. Embassy in Bangladesh for information and possible assistance.

Neither the Office of Children’s Issues nor consular officials at the U.S. Embassy in Bangladesh are authorized to provide legal advice.

The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh, posts a list of attorneys, including those who specialize in family law, which can be found here under "local resources."

This list is provided as a courtesy service only and does not constitute an endorsement of any individual attorney.  The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the persons or firms included in this list.  Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the lawyers.

Recently, the Bangladesh Ministry of Law began an active campaign to formally incorporate mediation in both criminal and civil cases. However, to date mediation is not mandatory and remains at the discretion and agreement of the mediating parties in both civil and criminal courts. A number of local NGOs in Bangladesh may provide Alternative Dispute Resolution and mediation services.

Bangladesh Jatiyo Mohila Ainjibi Samity (BJMAS) a.k.a.
Bangladesh National Women's Lawyers' Association (BNWLA)
Monico Mina Tower, 48/3. West Agargaon, Dhaka-1207
Phone: 880-2-48117658, 880-2-48122764, 880-2-58156874 Website: www.bnwla-bd.org
E-mail: bnwlabjmas@gmail.com

Ain O Shalish Kendra (ASK)
2/16, Block-B, Lalmatia, Dhaka-1207.
Helpline: 880-1724415677
Website: www.askbd.org
E-mail: ask@citechco.net

Bangladesh Mahila Parishad
Sufia Kamal Bhaban, 10/B/1, Segun Bagicha, Dhaka -1000
Phone: 880-2-9582182, 880-2-9511904
Website: www.mahilaparishad.org
E-mail: info@mahilaparishad.org

Exercising Custody Rights

While travelling in a foreign country, you are subject to the laws of that country. It is important for parents to understand that, although a left-behind parent in the United States may have custody or visitation rights pursuant to a U.S. custody order, that order may not be valid and enforceable in the country in which the child is located.  For this reason, we strongly encourage you to speak to a local attorney if planning to remove a child from a foreign country without the consent of the other parent.  Attempts to remove your child to the United States may:

  • Endanger your child and others;
  • Prejudice any future judicial efforts; and
  • Could result in your arrest and imprisonment.

The U.S. government cannot interfere with another country’s court or law enforcement system.

To understand the legal effect of a U.S. order in a foreign country, a parent should consult with a local attorney in the country in which the child is located.  

For information about hiring an attorney abroad, see our section on Retaining a Foreign Attorney. 

Although we cannot recommend an attorney to you, most U.S. Embassies have lists of attorneys available online. Please visit the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate website for a full listing.

For more information on consular assistance for U.S. citizens arrested abroad, please see our website.

Country officers are available to speak with you Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  For assistance with an abduction in progress or any emergency situation that occurs after normal business hours, on weekends, or federal holidays, please call toll free at 1-888-407-4747. See all contact information.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this flyer is provided for general information only, is not intended to be legal advice, and may change without notice. Questions involving interpretation of law should be addressed to an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. 

 

Last Updated: June 21, 2021

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Dhaka
Madani Avenue,
Baridhara, Dhaka, 1212
Bangladesh
Telephone
+(88) (2) 5566-2000
Emergency
+(88) (2) 5566-2000. When you hear the recorded message, press “0” to connect with the Embassy Duty Officer
Fax
+(88) (2) 5566-2907

Bangladesh Map