Protests and civil unrest

This page has advice for Australian travellers about staying safe during protests and civil unrest.

Explore this page to learn about:

• knowing the risks before you go
• what to do when there's a protest or civil unrest
• where to get help when there's unrest

Know the risk before you go

Protesting can range from a few people at a small local rally to a large demonstration with thousands of people. It can involve:

• marches, where people walk together through the streets to a rally or picket
• rallies, where people gather at a location to listen to speakers
• pickets and sit-ins, where people surround, occupy, or block off an area

Protests can escalate with little notice into civil unrest including widespread disorder or riots, where protesters can turn violent against people or property.

Protesting and the law

Protesting is illegal in some countries. Many countries have laws that limit freedom of speech.

Being in the wrong place at the wrong time can also get you in trouble. Authorities may see you as a protester just for being nearby, watching or taking photos. Even if you didn't take part.

If you plan to join a protest overseas, learn the local laws first. Always ensure the protest is legal. You could be arrested if you take part in an illegal protest overseas.

• There may be a legal process to get approval to protest. Find out if the authorities have approved the event before you attend.
• Some countries ban protesting in specific places. This is often around government facilities like military bases. They may have protestor exclusion zones around private businesses like medical practices or mining sites.

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

What to do when there's a protest or civil unrest

Avoid all protests. Even peaceful events can turn violent without warning.

Be aware that events in one country can spark unrest in another. Civil unrest in the region may also disrupt your travel plans.

Before you go

• Follow current events where you're going. Check local and international media for information. Read the 'Safety' section in the travel advice for your destination.
• Know the history of your destination. Unrest often occurs around major event anniversaries, especially politically or socially controversial ones.
• Check if an election is happening soon. Violent protests can happen on election day and in the lead-up to the day.
• Find out about social or political topics. Increased tension could lead to unrest.

While you're there

If civil unrest happens near you while you're overseas:

1. Stay safe and avoid danger
2. Stay within the law
3. Follow instructions from local authorities
4. Get help if you're hurt
5. Tell family and friends you're okay
6. Contact us if you need urgent help
7. Stay updated
8. Decide if you'll stay or leave

1. Stay safe and avoid danger

Your safety is your priority. Avoid the area around the unrest.

• If you're safe where you are, stay put. Many protests are short. You may be able to wait until the protestors leave.
• If it's not safe where you are, get to safety. If possible, go back to your accommodation, a police station or other safe place away from the unrest.
• If it's a march, find out the route and where it's going. Avoid it.
• Don't go and watch as a tourist. Protests are unpredictable. You could get swept up in it. Police may accuse you of being involved.

2. Stay within the law

It's your responsibility to stay within the law. If you break the law, local authorities can arrest you.

• Stay out of the area of an illegal event. Authorities may take photos and videos of the protest to identify and arrest participants afterwards. They may detain you if they think you're involved.
• Don't take photos or videos of the protest. Local authorities could see this as provocative or participation. They may see it as an attempt to defame or embarrass their country.
• Don't take part in an illegal protest, even if you agree with the cause.

Learn what to do when arrested or jailed overseas.

3. Follow instructions from local authorities

Do what you're told by the local first responders, including police and paramedics.

Some countries that have regular civil unrest have specialised riot police. They may be carrying weapons and anti-riot gear, including:

• police batons
• tear gas
• vehicle-mounted water cannons
• guns with regular or rubber bullets.

4. Get help if you're hurt

If you're injured, go to a hospital. The nearest Australian embassy or consulate can give you a list of doctors who speak English.

You may have trouble getting medical care during major civil unrest. Emergency rooms may be full of injured protestors and bystanders.

Being Australian doesn't give you priority over other people waiting for medical care. The Australian Government can't help you jump the queue.

See our advice about getting medical care overseas.

5. Tell family and friends you're okay

Let your family and friends know you're safe as soon as possible. If they know about the unrest, they'll be worried about you.

Don't wait. You may not be able to later. Especially if violent riots damage communication infrastructure. Local authorities may turn off phone services or block the internet to control the flow of information.

6. Contact us if you need urgent help

If you need urgent help in a crisis overseas, call the Consular Emergency Centre.

You can also contact us if you have serious concerns for the safety of family or friends who might have been affected by a crisis overseas.

7. Stay updated

Watch the news and check social media for developments.

Subscribe to Smartraveller and check your emails often. We'll email you if we update the travel advice or advice level.

In some destinations, authorities block all communications during unrest. This includes blocking the internet and switching off mobile phone towers. Others may just block specific websites and social media channels.

Get information while you can. Especially in a destination with a history of blocking all communications during unrest.

8. Decide if you'll stay or leave

It's up to you whether you stay or leave.

• If the unrest is minor, you may be comfortable continuing your trip.
• You may want to leave if there's major unrest, or if the unrest may continue for a long time.

The Australian Government can't make decisions for you.

If you choose to stay when our advice level is 'Do not travel', you're putting yourself at serious risk. You may also void your travel insurance – check your policy fine print.

Getting ground transport away from your location

If the local unrest continues on the streets, travelling by road to get out may be difficult.

• Riot police may close roads.
• Authorities may stop all public transport.
• Taxi drivers may avoid the area.

If you have a hire car, the unrest may void your insurance policy. Civil unrest is a common exclusion. This means you'll have to pay out of pocket for any damage.

Before you go out to find transport:

• Make sure it is safe to leave your accommodation.
• Find out what your options are. For example, if roads are closed, the trains may still run.
• Try to organise your transport in advance. You may get stuck in a transport hub trying to get out with everyone else.

Also see our advice about getting around and travelling by road.

Getting flights out of the country

It may be difficult to get flights out during major unrest.

• Airlines often cancel flights in and out of destinations affected by civil unrest. Especially if there's unrest at or near the airport.
• Tickets may be in short supply and high demand. They may also be much more expensive than usual.

Contact your travel insurer. Most have 24-hour emergency numbers you can call from overseas. If your policy covers your situation, they may help you get a flight.

Where to get help when there's unrest

• Local police. Call the police or visit a police station. We publish local emergency contacts in the travel advice for each destination.
• Local hospitals. If you're injured, get medical care. Go to the nearest hospital. If you can, choose a hospital away from the unrest.
• Your travel insurer. Some travel insurance policies cover cancellations and changed plans if there's a crisis. But some may exclude civil unrest – check your policy fine print.
• Your tour guide or hotel manager. They may have local knowledge about what's happening and advice on staying safe.
• Your travel companions. Stay together. Look after each other. Share information that will help others stay safe during the unrest.
• Your family and friends. They may be able to help book your flights home. If you've got financial problems, ask your family and friends for money.
• Your airline. If you need to leave earlier, ask your airline if they'll change your flight. You may have to pay to change it. They may have a policy on flight changes when there's a crisis.
• Your travel agent. Ask if they can change your bookings to avoid the unrest. Especially if there'll likely be unrest at the next stop on your trip.

How the Australian Government may help

To contact the Australian Government in an emergency:

• Call the nearest Australian embassy, high commission or consulate
• Call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305.

The Australian Government is limited in how and when it can help you overseas. It's important to understand our limits. Read the Consular Services Charter for what we can and can't do.

What we can do

• We can update the travel advice for your destination to reflect what's happening.
• We can give you a list of local hospitals with doctors who speak English if you need medical help.
• We can help you contact your relatives or friends, with your consent.
• We can give emergency consular help. Understand how and when. Read the Consular Services Charter.
• We can launch a crisis response to the unrest when we know Australians are or could be, affected.

What we can't do

• We can't guarantee your safety and security in another country or give you personal security services.
• We can't make decisions for you or make you leave a country.
• We can't give or loan you money.
• We can't make your travel arrangements or pay for your flights.
• We can't give you legal or medical advice.

See also

• Find an Australian embassy or consulate overseas (DFAT).
• Learn more about the right to freedom of assembly and association (Attorney-General's Department).
• Read the latest news about demonstrations and protests worldwide (United Nations).