Last week we put together an emergency evacuation guide for expatriates, because the ongoing troubles across the Middle East and the natural disasters in Japan and New Zealand have highlighted the real need for us all to have a plan b in place in case our currently peaceful lives unravel.
One element of an emergency evacuation plan that we failed to touch upon however, was what to do if you’re actually trapped in your current nation of residence. What would you do if, despite calls from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to get out at all costs, you were actually prevented from leaving?
This is the scenario facing a significant number of expatriates living in Bahrain who are in debt to banks or private firms, and who are therefore actually not allowed to leave the kingdom. It’s illegal for debtors to travel beyond the country’s borders…and so these individuals are literally trapped and surrounded by increasing violence and threats. It’s a fact that serves to highlight a number of key points for expatriates everywhere…
When You Move Abroad, Familiarise Yourself With Local Laws
If you move to a country like Germany you need to know that you’re not allowed to mow your lawn or generally make a noise outside during lunchtime hours. If you move to live in an apartment in Switzerland and you’re a man, you’re not allowed to stand up when going to the toilet after 10pm in the evening! Rules like these are more urban myth than legally enforceable legislation – but to live harmoniously with your neighbours, it pays to know the rules you need to abide by.
When you move to an emirate like Dubai or a nation like Bahrain you need to spend a lot more time learning the local laws which are legitimately enforceable – because one day your freedom and safety could depend upon it…and there are a lot of laws that differ greatly from our own in the UK.
In Bahrain at the moment a significant number of expatriates have been restricted from travelling and leaving the nation, even though it is in crisis, because they are in debt. It’s been reported that HSBC is going to apply to the courts to have the ban lifted for all of their customers who owe them money – after all, it wouldn’t do any bank’s reputation much good if their customers were trapped in a dangerous place simply because of an outstanding overdraft or loan!
Maybe HSBC will be successful, maybe other banks will follow their lead, maybe some expats will manage to slip past the controls and restrictions at the airport departure security desks…but still many will remain trapped in Bahrain because of their debt.
Debt in these countries doesn’t even have to mean ‘debt’ as we know it – it can be an overdraft, HP on a car, finance on furniture – all legitimate ‘debt’ that is being paid for and paid back. But it is a fact that if you owe any outstanding monies, you are not allowed to leave the nation. What this means in the case of Bahrain is that there are innocent people caught up in the mounting pressure and threat simply because they are not allowed the freedom to exit the nation.
As you can therefore see, it really does pay to understand the laws and rules in your new nation, and to ensure you are not restricted in any way by the likes of debt. If your situation in your new nation were to change from peaceful environment to a place of civil unrest, you need to know you can leave.
We would therefore urge expats and would-be expats everywhere to take the time to understand the laws and regulations in their new or chosen nation, so that they never fall foul of them or are restricted by them.
As An Expat, Know How to Stay Safe Abroad in Times of Civil Unrest
If it were ever the case that the situation in your new nation changed and you were to find yourself living in an unsafe environment all of a sudden, but unable to leave the country for some reason, is there a way you can make your position more secure?
Having explored the option of the evacuation plan we wrote last week, and having determined that for whatever reason you cannot or will not leave your current location or nation, what can you do to make yourself safe?
In times of civil unrest it’s wise to avoid large groups of people, any demonstrations and even public transport. Do not even be tempted to venture out as a bystander to gawp at a riot! It’s all too easy to very quickly get caught up.
With regard to public transportation, bus or train stations can become very crowded and dangerous places when there’s the threat of impending unrest.
Finally, you also need to look at securing your own home – riots can quickly spread and get out of hand, and it’s common for property to be damaged. Lock and bar doors, lock and board up windows: remove any items of value from your home if you possibly can in case of looters.
In Conclusion…
It is critically important for expatriates to understand not only the political situation in their chosen country, but the laws, rules and commonly acceptable behaviour in their host nation. What’s more, it is important for us all to know how we would evacuate our homes if ever we had to.
If you’re advised to leave your nation or your home by government officials, think very long and hard about disregarding this advice. You may want to stay to protect your property, your business or just because you feel you have nowhere else to go – however, civil unrest can quickly get out of hand, and you may regret your decision to remain.
If you cannot legitimately leave, you need to have a plan in place for protecting yourself and your family…
Don’t leave it too late; think about these worst-case scenarios in advance of a potential deterioration of events in your new home country.