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Bahrain Protests - Advice and Information For British Nationals

  • Last Updated: 03/03/2011
  • Category: Political

Summary: The FCO no longer recommends that British travellers leave Bahrain by commercial means.

All but essential travel to Bahrain is still advised against until further notice.

Change of travel advice for Bahrain:

The FCO has advised all British nationals to:

  • Maintain a high level of security awareness
  • Exercise high levels of caution in and around public places and roads
  • Avoid crowds and demonstrations at all costs
  • Be aware that the risk of violent outbreaks is high and unpredictable

The curfew for Seef and the Sheikh Isa bin Salman bridge to Muharraq remains in full force between 23h00 and 04h00. Waterway curfews around Bahrain remain in place between 17h00 and 06h00.

Please note:

The British Embassy in Bahrain is still closed until further notice. If you have an enquiry regarding the situation in Bahrain, please call 17574151 in Bahrain or +44 (0) 20 7008 5900 in the UK.

Last Updated: 18 March 2011

Summary: The FCO continues to advise against all travel to Bahrain until further notice and recommends that those without a pressing reason to remain leave as soon as possible.

UK charter flights on 18 March:

The FCO still advises that the first option for British nationals to leave Bahrain is via commercial routes. Commercial flights are still operating to and from Bahrain and the airport remains open, including for transit flights. Feel free to refer to the FCO's Bahrain flight and airport information.

The UK government is arranging the following charter flight as per the below on Friday, 18 March:

  • Flight will depart Bahrain at midday and fly to London to assist the departure of British nationals
  • You can register your interest for this flight by calling +44 (0) 20 7008 5900
  • There will be a charge of up to symbol(pound)310 for this flight
  • To qualify for a space on board this flight, passengers must hold a valid British passport or British Emergency Passport, must be an EEA national, or a national who doesn't need a visa to travel to the UK, or an individual who holds a valid visa for the UK

Please note:

The British Embassy in Bahrain is closed until further notice. If you have an enquiry regarding the situation in Bahrain, please call 17574151 in Bahrain or +44 (0) 20 7008 5900 in the UK.

Turmoil in Bahrain continues:

Since the Bahrain government declared a 3 month state of emergency on 15 March, the Bahrain Defence Force has taken over the duty of ensuring national security.

Please be aware of the curfew introduced by the government in the Seef, Pearl roundabout and Diplomatic areas, between the hours of 20:00 and 04:00 local time. The authorities are restricting any movement in this area during these hours.

Last Updated: 17 March 2011

Summary: The FCO still advises against all travel to Bahrain until further notice. Advice on leaving Bahrain below.

The UK government is chartering planes to supplement commercially available options. These will be available to assist the departure of British nationals from Bahrain to Dubai on 17 March. Commercial routes remain the recommended first option for leaving Bahrain.

If you wish to leave and cannot secure tickets for a commercial flight, you can register for the charted plane to leave Bahrain by calling +44 20 7008 5900. There will be a charge of up to symbol(pound)260 per person for this flight.

Latest FCO advice for travellers:

  • Avoid any travel to Bahrain until the FCO relaxes its advice
  • If you are currently in Bahrain, remain at home until further notice
  • If you must travel within Bahrain, please maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places and on major highways
  • Avoid large crowds and demonstrations wherever possible
  • For enquiries related to the situation in Bahrain please call 17574151 or + 44 020 7008 1500 in the UK
  • Register with the FCO's LOCATE service, or ask a family member in the UK to do so on your behalf - this will help them to find you in an emergency
  • Contact your airline to confirm onward travel - the airport is still open for departures during this time

Recent developments in Bahrain:

A three month state of emergency has been declared by the government of Bahrain. We continue to advise British nationals currently in Bahrain to remain at home until further notice.

We continue to recommend that those without a pressing reason to remain should be ready to leave at short notice. You should make your reservation and ticketing arrangements with your airline as usual. Find airline information here.

Bahrain Protests - Advice and Information For British Nationals

Last Updated: 14 March 2011

Summary: Following increased protest action over the past few days, the FCO now advises against all travel to Bahrain until further notice. Please note that the airport remains open at this time.

Latest FCO advice for travellers:

  • Avoid any travel to Bahrain until the FCO relaxes its advice
  • If you are currently in Bahrain, remain at home until further notice
  • If you must travel within Bahrain, please maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places and on major highways
  • Avoid large crowds and demonstrations wherever possible
  • For enquiries related to the situation in Bahrain please call the British Embassy located in central Manama on 17574151 or 020 7008 1500 from the UK
  • Register with the FCO's LOCATE service, or ask a family member in the UK to do so on your behalf - this will help them to find you in an emergency
  • Contact your airline to confirm onward travel - the airport is still open for departures during this time

Recent developments in Bahrain:

Over the past week tensions have grown in the region, as confrontations between protestors and police have intensified. There have also been reports of protestors establishing roadblocks, and it is expected that the Saudi National Guard will enter Bahrain to intervene.

Currently demonstrations are continuing around the Pearl Roundabout and the Bahrain Financial Harbour.

Bahrain Protests - Advice and Information For British Nationals

Last Updated: 3 March 2011

Summary: Due to continued protests and the potential for violence, the FCO advises against all but essential travel to Bahrain until further notice.

FCO advice for British nationals in Bahrain:

  • Limit travel around the island to essential journeys only
  • Maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places and on major highways
  • Avoid large crowds and demonstrations
  • If you have any enquiries regarding the situation in Bahrain, please call the British Embassy in central Manama on 17574151 if you are in Bahrain, or 020 7008 1500 from the UK
  • Find other details about the British Embassy in Manama here
  • Contact your airline to confirm onward travel
  • Register with the FCO's LOCATE service, or ask a family member in the UK to do so for you - the FCO will attempt to contact those registered by email
  • Check the "UK in Bahrain" Facebook page for updates concerning demonstrations and events
  • Stay updated with the FCO's updated Bahrain travel advice here

Please note: The airport is currently open and flights to and from Bahrain remain unaffected.

Where are the demonstrations taking place?

On 2 March 2011, thousands protested on the Interior Ministry in the capital, Manama. The march took place from the Pearl roundabout to the Interior Ministry, stopping traffic along the way. Police and military presence was highly visible.

Protesters demand release of all political prisoners:

The march on the Interior Ministry in Bahrain's capital on 2 March signified the mass demand for the government to release all political prisoners.

The government has been under growing pressure after Shiite protestors camped at the Pearl square on 15 February 2011. This was backed by increasing criticism from international human rights groups for detaining political prisoners.

Besides the call for the release of political prisoners, the ongoing protests in Bahrain include demands for the government to be dissolved, the establishment of a constitutional monarchy, neutral state media, and for an independent commission of inquiry in the killing of seven men during clashes with police since 14 February.