GREECE - Banks in Greece will re-open on 20 July. However, the re-opening of banks will be subject to a number of restrictions relating to international transfers and other capital controls will remain in place. Greek debit and credit cards will be subject to a daily cash withdrawal limit of 60 euros per day and maximum withdrawal of 420 euros per week. These restrictions do not apply to foreign cards. Authorities had originally closed banks and introduced capital controls on 28 June, in order to mitigate the impact on the banking sector during the ongoing negotiations between Greece and its creditors regarding the country's debt repayment. The re-opening of banks has been delayed on several occasions. As such, the possibility of the recent scheduled re-opening being delayed cannot be discounted. In addition, further disruptions to bank services, including shortfalls in cash availability should be expected. The ongoing crisis continues to threaten to spark street protests. Accordingly, further protests and demonstrations should be expected in the short-term at least; these are likely to be susceptible to violence. Persons in or intending to travel to the Greece in the coming days should anticipate disruptions to formal banking services, including cash withdrawals at ATMs. Clients are advised to make use of alternative payment methods where possible and retain some cash reserves as a precautionary measure. Furthermore, clients are advised to monitor developments closely and avoid all street gatherings as a precaution.    

 

 

 

LIBYA(AN NUQAT AL KHAMS DISTRICT) - According to a statement released by Italian foreign ministry officials, four Italian nationals have been kidnapped in Libya. The victims, who worked for the Bonatti construction company, were kidnapped in the vicinity of the Mellitah oil and gas complex in the north western An Nuqat al Khams district, by unidentified assailants. No ransom demands have been reported thus far. Further details remain unavailable.  There is an elevated risk of kidnapping in Libya. Abductions are perpetrated by a variety of groups for political or financial gain and commonly result in murders. The Islamic State (IS) extremist group has become increasingly active in recent months and has been blamed for numerous high-profile abductions and acts of terrorism. Due to the ongoing political instability and conflict in the country, the kidnap risk is likely to remain at high levels over the short- to medium-term. Clients are advised against all travel to Libya. Persons in the country are advised to travel with a security escort, reside in secure compounds or hotels and maintain a generally low public profile at all times.

TURKEY(SURUC, SANLIURFA PROVINCE) - An explosion has been reported in the Suruc district, in Turkey's southern Sanliurfa province, on 20 July. The incident is said to have occurred at a cultural centre in an undisclosed location in the district. According to reports, at least ten people have been killed and dozens more injured. Further details regarding the incident are unavailable.  Persons in Suruc district are advised to exercise a heightened level of personal security awareness at this time, and should adhere to the directives of the local authorities. In addition, due to isolated incidents of clashes in neighbouring Syria impacting on Turkish territory, clients are advised against all non-essential travel to within 10km of Turkey's shared border with Syria. Clients are further advised to closely monitor local security-related developments in the region.

 

INDIA - Leaders of several leftist political parties in India have called for countrywide protests on 20 July. The agitation is in protest against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government and corruption allegations faced by the party. Organisers have called for protests in all cities and districts countrywide. The protests are likely to centre on government buildings; further details are currently unknown.  The protests are likely to be well supported particularly in the states of Kerala, West Bengal and Tripura, which maintain a strong leftist presence. Localised road travel disruptions are to be expected. Additionally, there is a risk of violent unrest at all protests in India. Clients in India on 20 July are advised to monitor local media for updates on the protests. All large street gatherings are to be avoided as a standard precaution. Furthermore, clients are advised against all non-essential travel to a number of states, including West Bengal and Tripura.  

BOSNIA/HERZEGOVINA - The Association of Farmers in BiH (FBiH) union is set to hold a demonstration in Bosnia and Herzegovina's capital, Sarajevo, on 20 July. The demonstration has been called to protest against current legislation regarding the agricultural sector. Participants are expected to gather outside the Parliament building, located on Hamdije Kresevljakovica street, from 11:55 local time. The upcoming demonstration forms part of the ongoing dispute between the agricultural unions and the government regarding the sector regulation. Associated protests have been well attended and have concluded without major incident. However, protests in Bosnia and Herzegovina carry an elevated risk of violence; as such, the possibility of violence occurring at the upcoming demonstration cannot be discounted. Localised travel disruptions are expected in the vicinity of the Parliament building. Persons in Sarajevo on 20 July are advised to avoid all protest gatherings and concentrations of security forces as a precaution. Localised travel disruptions should be expected.

BURUNDI - Burundi's presidential elections are set to take place countrywide on 21 July amid heightened tensions and ongoing political instability. Several opposition candidates have announced their withdrawal from the presidential ballot, citing the country's precarious security environment as their motivation. Furthermore, opposition groups claim that widespread intimidation by government forces has prevented them from successfully campaigning for the upcoming polls. In light of the opposition boycott, as well as enduring hostilities in Burundi, precedent suggests that the upcoming elections may be marred by isolated outbreaks of violence. The capital, Bujumbura, is likely to serve as the focal point for any election-related unrest.  Burundi's security environment remains unstable due to political instability resulting from Pierre Nkurunziza's controversial decision to contest the Burundian presidency for a third successive term, as well as violent anti-government protests in response to this decision. Originally scheduled to take place on 26 June, the presidential ballot was postponed by Burundi's Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) following a recommendation made by the East African Community (EAC). It should be noted that the country's parliamentary elections, held earlier on 29 June, were similarly boycotted by the opposition and internationally condemned; the elections took place amid ongoing anti-Nkurunziza protests, with demonstrators in a number of areas reportedly blocking voters from entering polling booths. Furthermore, a number of grenade attacks targeting polling booths were reported during the election period. Given that the primary grievance fuelling unrest in the country has yet to be resolved, further unrest and politically motivated violence are likely to continue for the near-term. Due to the uncertain political situation in Burundi, clients are advised to defer all travel to the country at this time. Furthermore, given the limited options to depart Burundi in the event of a further deterioration in the security environment, persons in the country should consider departing where safe and possible to do so. Clients in Burundi despite the aforementioned advisory are advised to avoid all large politically motivated gatherings, as well as political offices and polling booths as a precaution in the coming days.

 

UKRAINE(KIEV) - (Update) Further protests by Pravy Sektor (Right Sector), a far-right political and paramilitary organisation, are expected in Ukraine's capital, Kiev on 21 July. The demonstration has been called with regard to the recent tensions between the organisation and the government concerning the deadly shoot-out between security forces and Pravy Sektor militants in the town of Mukacheve on 11 July. Participants are expected to gather at Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square) from 19:00 local time. This is the latest in a series of demonstrations held by Pravy Sektor in recent weeks. The demonstrations have been well attended and have been characterised by isolated skirmishes between protesters and security forces. As such, the possibility of violence occurring at the upcoming demonstration cannot be discounted. Due to the emotive nature of the protests and the current existing tensions between the organisation and the government, further such protests are expected.  Persons in Kiev are advised to avoid all street gatherings and concentrations of security forces as a precaution against civil unrest.   

ISRAEL - Histadrut, an organisation of trade unions, has called for a countrywide general strike in Israel on 22 July. The action has been called with regard to employee contracts. The strike is set to affect both private and public services, including transport and utility services. Associated demonstrations are expected in a number of central locations, including in Tel Aviv. However, further details are unavailable. The strike is expected to be well observed and attendance at possible associated demonstrations is expected to be high. Negotiations between Histadrut and governmental authorities are said to be ongoing and are expected to continue in the days preceding the strike. As such, the possibility of the strike being cancelled or postponed cannot be discounted. Should it proceed as scheduled, disruptions and/or delays to transport and utility services should be expected on the affected day. In the event of associated protests, the possibility of civil unrest cannot be discounted. Localised travel disruptions are anticipated in the vicinity of associated demonstrations.  Persons in Israel are advised to monitor local media for developments and information on the upcoming strike. Clients are further are advised to avoid all street protests as a standard precaution. Itineraries should remain flexible on the affected day.

PORTUGAL(LISBON) - Several of Portugal's unions are set to hold a mass protest march in the capital, Lisbon, on 22 July. The march has been called with regard to a number of issues affecting public sector employees, including working conditions and wages. Participants are expected to gather at Largo de Santos from 10:30 local time, and proceed to march to the Parliament building (on Sao Bento street), where a rally will be held. Although the march is expected to be peaceful, the possibility of isolated skirmishes between police and protesters cannot be dismissed. The march is expected to be well attended; as such, localised travel disruptions should be expected at affected sites. Persons in Lisbon on 22 July are advised to avoid all protests and concentrations of security forces as a precaution. Furthermore, clients should make allowances for possible transport disruptions at demonstration-affected sites.

 

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