The Foreign Office is being urged to update its travel guidance for women heading to Germany following sex attacks and mob violence in Cologne on New Year’s Eve.
Monmouth MP David Davies has written to Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond asking for travel advice to reflect recent events.
German authorities say the number of criminal complaints filed after festivities in Cologne on December 31 has risen to over 500 - 40 per cent of which relate to allegations of sexual assault.
Victims described chaos in the square outside the city’s main railway station where about 1,000 people, mostly men, had congregated before breaking off into small groups that molested and robbed women.
The scale of the attacks in Cologne and other German cities, including Hamburg and Stuttgart, has shocked the country while police handling of the events has been heavily criticised.
“These attacks were of a nature and scale that has never before been seen in Europe,” said Mr Davies in his letter.
“Sadly, elected officials and police officers are quoted as saying they cannot guarantee the safety of women in cities like Cologne.
“The Foreign Office website already contains warnings about the specific dangers confronting female and gay travellers in other parts of the world, especially the Middle East.
“As large numbers of people from across the continent, including Britain, will visit Europe for the pre-Lent carnival season (Fasching), I believe the government should consider placing similar warnings on the website for single women who may wish to travel to certain cities in Germany.”
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The Foreign Office website is here.
Below are some direct quotes offered for different countries:
- Morocco: Women, especially when travelling alone, may attract unwanted attention. To minimise hassle, you should dress modestly.
- Jordon: Jordan is a conservative society. You should dress modestly and behave courteously.
- Egypt: Dress modestly, especially in rural areas, mosques and souqs (markets). Women’s clothes should cover the legs and upper arms. Men should cover their chests. Public displays of affection are frowned upon. What may be acceptable in the tourist resort areas may not be in other areas.
- Iran: Women should take extra care, particularly when travelling alone or with friends of the opposite sex. If you're a woman travelling in Iran you should respect local dress codes and customs and avoid isolated areas.
- Qatar: You should dress modestly in public, including while driving. Women should cover their shoulders and avoid wearing short skirts.
- Russia: Homosexuality is legal in Russia, but there is still intolerance among some sections of the population. Be careful about public displays of affection.
- Saudia Arabia: Islamic codes of behaviour and dress are strictly enforced. Women should wear conservative, lose-fitting clothes as well as a full length cloak (abaya) and a headscarf.