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  3. Demonstrations and unrest

Demonstrations and unrest

Last updated
Thursday, 19/10/2023

 

Demonstrations and unrest linked to the situation in the Middle East are occurring in countries worldwide. If you're travelling overseas, it's important to be aware of current events in your destination and look after your safety. Understand that events in one country can spark unrest in another.

Before you travel

Demonstrations and unrest can impact your travel plans. If the unrest escalates or centres around transport hubs, it may impact transport into and out of a destination.

  • Read the travel advisory for your destination and subscribe for updates.
  • Keep an eye on current events in your destination. Monitor local and international media for information about possible safety or security risks.
  • Contact your airline if you're concerned that your flights are affected.

Be prepared to change your travel plans within your destination to avoid demonstrations and unrest.

While you're overseas

Put your safety first

Your safety is your first priority. Monitor the local media for updates and stay clear of planned or active demonstrations.

Even peaceful protests and rallies can be unpredictable or turn violent at short notice. Particularly when tensions between local community groups are running high.

If a demonstration starts while you're in an area, move away to find a safe location.

Stay within the law

Some destinations have banned protests and demonstrations. It's your responsibility to know and stay within the law.

If you break the law, local authorities could arrest or jail you. Even if you weren't involved, they may detain you for being in the area.

  • Don't take part in an illegal demonstration, even if you agree with the cause.
  • Don't set out to watch an illegal event as a tourist. Don't take photos. Local authorities may think you're a demonstrator.
  • Stay out of the area of an illegal event. You could be on camera. Authorities may take photos and videos of demonstrations. They may use these to identify and arrest participants afterwards.

The Australian Government is limited in how and when it can help if you're arrested or jailed overseas. Understand our limits. Read the Consular Services Charter.

Follow instructions from local authorities

Do what the local first responders tell you. This includes police and paramedics. They're the authority in your location.

They may issue instructions to the crowd through a loudspeaker, the media and/or social media. Follow their instructions - not doing so could threaten your safety.

Stay informed

Keep track of local events as you travel.

  • Monitor local media and social media.
  • Stay in touch with family and friends back home.
  • Subscribe to the travel advisory for your destination.
  • Follow @Smartraveller on Facebook, X and Instagram.
  • Talk to your tour guide or hotel manager. They may have local insight on what's going on.

 

Read more

  • Find out what to do if there's a demonstration or civil unrest. 
  • Read the Consular Services Charter to know how the Australian Government can and can't help while you're overseas.

Emergency consular assistance

The Australian Government provides 24-hour consular emergency assistance.

+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas

1300 555 135 from within Australia

For how we can help you overseas see the Consular Services Charter.

Enquiries and feedback

For non-urgent enquiries, or to provide feedback on consular services that you've recently received, contact us online.

For information on notarial services, email legalisations.australia@dfat.gov.au

To report a vulnerability you’ve identified on this website or to find out more about the department’s Vulnerability Disclosure Policy visit the DFAT website

About us

Smartraveller is provided by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

For more information go to about us.

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  • Home
  • Before you go
    • The basics
      • Destinations
      • Europe and the Schengen Area
      • Getting a foreign visa
      • Travel insurance
      • CHOICE travel insurance buying guide
    • Who you are
      • Academics
      • Colour, race, ethnicity, or religion
      • Dual nationals
      • Journalists
      • LGBTQIA+
      • Mature and older travellers
      • School leavers
      • Travelling with children
      • Travelling with a disability
      • Travelling with pets
      • Women
    • Activities
      • Adoption
      • Antarctica and the Arctic
      • Backpacking
      • Business
      • Living and working overseas
      • Marriage
      • Retiring overseas
      • Sports and adventure
      • Studying
      • Surrogacy
      • Volunteering
    • Major events
      • Cultural events
        • Travel overseas for Anzac Day
      • Religious events
        • Travel overseas for Ramadan
        • Travel overseas for Hajj
      • Sporting events
        • Rugby League Las Vegas 2025
    • Health
      • Infectious diseases
      • Going overseas for a medical procedure
      • Medical assistance overseas
      • Medication and medical equipment
      • Mental health
      • Organ transplant tourism
      • Pregnancy
      • Reciprocal health care agreements
      • What happens if you die overseas
    • Staying safe
      • Armed conflict
      • Assault
      • Cyber security
      • Earthquakes and tsunamis
      • Kidnapping
      • Natural disasters
      • Partying safely
      • Piracy
      • Protests and civil unrest
      • Scams
      • Severe weather
      • Sexual assault
      • Terrorism
      • Theft and robbery
    • Laws
      • Carrying or using drugs
      • Child sex offences
      • Female genital mutilation
      • Forced marriage
    • Getting around
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      • Boat travel
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      • Public transport
      • Road safety
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  • While you're away
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      • Arrested or jailed
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      • Money problems
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      • Someone died
    • Crime overseas
      • Assaulted
      • Robbed or mugged
      • Sexually assaulted
    • Crisis or emergency
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      • Severe weather
      • Volcanic eruption
      • Bushfire
      • Nuclear incident
    • Australia's biosecurity and border controls
  • Urgent help
  • Our services
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    • Consular Services Charter
      • ميثاق الخدمات القنصلية (Arabic)
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      • 領事服務章程 (Chinese Traditional)
      • Panduan Layanan Konsuler (Indonesian)
      • 領事サービス憲章 (Japanese)
      • 영사 서비스 헌장 (Korean)
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