Amnesty International issues travel warning to U.S. over gun violence
Credit to Author: Tiffany Crawford| Date: Thu, 08 Aug 2019 13:18:02 +0000
Amnesty International has issued a travel warning to travellers considering a trip to the U.S. following two mass shootings.
The group says visitors should exercise extreme caution because of the rampant gun violence, which has become so prevalent “that it amounts to a human rights crisis.”
Ernest Coverson, a spokesman for Amnesty International USA, said travellers should remain cautious because the country “does not adequately protect” the right to safety.
“People in the United States cannot reasonably expect to be free from harm – a guarantee of not being shot is impossible,” said Coverson, in a statement Wednesday.
“Once again, it is chillingly clear that the U.S. government is unwilling to ensure protection against gun violence.”
The group advises avoiding places where large crowds gather such as cultural events, places of worship, and shopping malls.
As of Thursday, Canada’s travel advisories listed the United States as having no significant safety and security concerns. The federal government advises Canadians to exercise normal security precautions.
Venezuela and Uruguay have also issued warnings to their citizens about the U.S. and the increased threat of hate crimes and gun violence.
Two mass shootings on the weekend, less than 24 hours apart, in Texas and Ohio left 31 people dead and dozens more injured. The Ohio shooting happened seven days after a teenager killed three people with an assault rifle at a food festival in Northern California before taking his own life.
Amnesty says there has been a growth in hate crimes in the U.S., including racism and discrimination,adding that a person’s race, country of origin, ethnic background, sexual orientation or gender identity may place them at higher risk after recent attacks linked to white supremacist ideology.
The group is calling for gun reform laws, including comprehensive background checks, national regulations for registering and licensing firearms, required training, a ban on high capacity magazines/assault weapons, and mandatory safe-storage laws.
ticrawford@postmedia.com
-with files from Reuters