Warden Notice 05/06 (24 May 2006)

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary. The overall level of the advice has not changed.

• There is a continuing high threat of terrorism in Saudi Arabia. We continue to believe that terrorists are planning further attacks, including against Westerners and places associated with Westerners in Saudi Arabia.
  
• You should take all necessary steps to protect your safety and should make sure you have confidence in your individual security arrangements. You should maintain a high level of vigilance, particularly in public places. You should avoid any large gatherings or demonstrations.
  
• You should remember that Islamic law is strictly enforced in Saudi Arabia.
  
• We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Please see the "Travel Insurance" page of the FCO website.
  

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Terrorism / Security

There is a continuing high threat of terrorism in Saudi Arabia. We continue to believe that terrorists are planning further attacks in Saudi Arabia, including against Westerners and places associated with Westerners.  The Saudi authorities have told us that they have information suggesting that terrorists may be planning to attack westerners pursuing leisure activities in the desert outside Riyadh.  We believe aviation interests remain a possible terrorist target. 

The Saudi security forces are maintaining enhanced security measures and have succeeded in disrupting terrorist operations, killing and capturing many terrorists and seizing arms and vehicle bombs.

This continuing success should not give rise to complacency: as terrorist networks are disrupted, there are grounds for believing that remaining terrorists may resort to opportunistic attacks on western targets

Terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia have taken various forms. At their height in 2003 and 2004 they included kidnapping; large-scale truck bombings of residential compounds and Saudi government offices; an attack on the US Consulate in Jeddah; targeted shootings of individuals; small-scale car bombings; parcel bombings; and bombing of shopping areas. Most recently, on 24 February 2006, terrorists attacked an oil processing centre in Abqaiq, Eastern Province, detonating two car bombs, but were prevented from doing serious damage.  In a related operation three days later, the Saudi security forces raided a house in Riyadh, during which five terrorists were killed.

There were a number of clashes between security forces and terrorists during 2005 including a two-day siege by Saudi security forces in Al Dammam (Eastern Province) in September, during which at least five terrorists and four police officers were killed; the assassination of a Mabahith (internal security) officer in June; and a three-day siege by Saudi security forces in Al-Rass, a town 340 km north west of Riyadh, in April 2005, in which 15 terrorists were killed and six detained.

You should take all necessary steps to protect your safety and should make sure you have confidence in your individual security arrangements. You should maintain a high level of vigilance, particularly in public places. You should take sensible precautions for your personal and vehicle safety.

British residents in Saudi Arabia are given specific guidance by our mission, including through Wardens notices. Advice is available to visitors from the British Embassy in Riyadh, the British Consulate General in Jeddah and from the Embassy website: www.britishembassy.gov.uk/saudiarabia (click on "Consular").

Please read " Security and General Tips" and Risk of Terrorism when Travelling Overseas" pages in the "While You are There" link on the FCO Website. You should follow news reports and be alert to regional developments. Any increase in regional tension might affect travel advice.

Political situation

You should follow local news. You should take sensible precautions such as avoiding public gatherings, which could lead to disorder.

Pilgrimage

Saudi government regulations stipulate that British pilgrims performing Umrah and Hajj can only travel with UK travel agencies accredited with the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. You should confirm the full itinerary for your pilgrimage before departing the UK. If you find yourself in difficulties during your pilgrimage, you or your relatives should contact the British Consulate-General in Jeddah (tel: +966 2 622 5550/5557/5558). Further information can be obtained from the FCO Know Before You Go Campaign web page (www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo), this page contains practical advice and explains what services the British Hajj Delegation can offer British Pilgrims should they choose to travel to Saudi Arabia.

In recent years, pilgrims have been killed due to over-crowding. There was a stampede at the 2006 Hajj which resulted in the death of over 400 pilgrims, including three British Nationals.

There has been an increase in the number of reported cases of pickpocketing and other forms of theft in Mecca, particularly in the region of the Grand Mosque and in Medina, and you should take additional care with travel documents, tickets and other valuables while visiting these two areas. We also recommend that you should make a copy of your passport before travel, and keep it in a safe place. (Also see the section on Health below.)

Crime

The crime rate is low and not usually a problem for travellers in Saudi Arabia. However, petty crime does occur especially in crowded areas. Occasionally, British nationals have been the victims of more serious crimes such as assault and robbery.

Sea Safety

There have been acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships in and around the Red Sea. Mariners should take appropriate precautions.

Many areas of the Gulf are highly sensitive, including near maritime boundaries and the islands of Abu Musa and the Tunbs in the southern Gulf.  Vessels entering these areas have been detained and inspected; and there have been occasional arrests.  Mariners should make careful enquiries before entering these waters or considering visiting ports.

LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country in which Islamic law is strictly enforced.

The public practice of any form of religion other than Islam, or proselytising, is not permitted. The importation and/or possession of narcotics, alcohol, pork products and religious books (apart from the Qu'ran) and artefacts is forbidden.

Islamic codes of behaviour and dress are also enforced rigorously. You should respect them fully.

Homosexual behaviour and adultery are illegal and can carry the death penalty.

The penalties for the possession of, or trade in, alcohol are severe. Both result in prison sentences. The punishment for importing drugs includes the death penalty. You should not arrive in Saudi Arabia under the influence of alcohol: the consequences could be serious. Carry with you a doctor's prescription for any medication you have with you.

The possession of pornographic material, or of illustrations of scantily dressed people, especially women, is prohibited.

The Saudi legal system differs in many ways from the UK. Suspects can be held without charge and those detained have in the past not been allowed legal representation. The Saudi authorities have detained witnesses and victims of crimes.  Consular staff will seek to visit British nationals as soon as they are aware of the case. However, in some instances they have not been permitted to do so immediately or have had limits applied to access once granted. We have raised our concern about reports of mistreatment of some suspects during their detention.

Photography of government buildings, military installations and palaces is not allowed. You should avoid photographing local people.

It is illegal for women to drive.

Anyone involved in a commercial dispute with a Saudi company or individual may be prevented from leaving the country pending resolution of the dispute.

Passports are often retained by sponsors or government bodies for official purposes. You should carry a photocopy of your passport. Make sure you have included in your passport details of those who should be contacted in an emergency.

It is illegal to hold two passports in Saudi Arabia: second passports will be confiscated by the immigration authorities if they are discovered.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

All visitors, including pilgrims, require a visa to enter Saudi Arabia. These should be applied for through visa agencies accredited to the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. Details of how to apply can be obtained from the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, 30 Charles Street, London, W1X 7PM; (Tel: 020 7917 3000).

British residents in Saudi Arabia should remember that they require a valid exit/re-entry permit from the Saudi Ministry of Interior in order to leave the country.

On occasion, Saudi visas have been refused when passports have reflected travel to Israel or indicated an Israeli birthplace.

Women visitors and residents are required to be met by their sponsor upon arrival. Women travelling alone, who are not met by sponsors, have experienced delays before being allowed to enter the country or to continue on other flights.

HEALTH

There have been cases of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in South-West Saudi Arabia, mainly in the Jizan area. There have also been cases of cerebral malaria but only in Jizan itself. The outbreaks of cerebral malaria are local and do not affect Jeddah or any other areas of Saudi Arabia. Visitors considering going to the Jizan region should seek medical advice on Rift Valley Fever and cerebral malaria before travelling.

Particularly during Hajj and Ramadan, contagious diseases spread quickly, and pilgrims should take basic medicines with them and consume adequate liquids and salts. Saudi government regulations set out that ACWY quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine is mandatory for people travelling to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj and Umrah. You should check with your GP for specific advice.

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance for the whole duration of your proposed trip before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Please see the "Travel Insurance" page of the FCO website.

For further information on health, check the Department of Health's website at http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAdviceToTravellers/fs/en

GENERAL

If things go wrong when overseas, please see the "What We Can Do To Help" page of the FCO website.

Residents and longer-term visitors are strongly advised to register with the British Embassy in Riyadh (tel: +966 1 488 0077), or Consulate-General in Jeddah (tel: +966 2 622 5550).

British Consulate-General
Jeddah

22 May 2006

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