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More countries join Aust
in warning their citizens
By KEVIN PAMBA
MORE countries have joined Australia in
warning their citizens of travels to Papua New Guinea because of the law
and order problems here.
The governments of New Zealand, United States and Canada have all warned
their citizens of the rising crime and election-related violence in PNG.
Like Australia, these governments also warned their citizens against
travels to the Highlands region and major PNG towns to avoid being
victims of serious crimes.
“You are advised against all travels to the Southern Highlands and Enga
provinces. Law and order remain very poor in other Highlands provinces
and in the cities of Port Moresby and Lae,” the Canadan foreign affairs
and international trade department said.
Canadians have also been advised against travelling to mountainous
Panguna mine area or the “no-go zones” in Bougainville.
The US government has warned its citizens that “Papua New Guinea has a
high crime rate, hence, numerous US citizen residents and visitors have
been victims of violent crimes in recent years, which they sometimes
suffered severe injuries”.
Like the Australian travel warning reported in The National yesterday,
the US government said: “Carjackings, armed robberies, and stoning of
vehicles are problems in and around major cities such as Port Moresby,
Lae, Mount Hagen and Goroka, but can happen anywhere.
“Pickpockets and bag-snatchers frequent crowded public areas.
“Hiking or travelling in rural areas and visiting isolated public sites
such as parks, golf courses, beaches or cemeteries can be dangerous.
“Individuals travelling alone are at greater risk for robbery or gang
rape than are those who are part of an organised tour or under escort.
“Visitors to Papua New Guinea should avoid using taxis or buses, known
as Public Motor Vehicles (PMVs), but should instead rely on arranged
taxi service or rental cars.
“Road travel outside of major towns can be hazardous because criminals
set up roadblocks near bridges, curves on the road or other features
that restrict vehicle speed and mobility,” the US government said.
The NZ government added that “tensions between ethnic or clan groups,
particularly in the Highlands region and in larger cities, sometimes
leads to outbreaks of tribal fighting, often involving the use of
firearms.
“All travel to the Southern Highlands, except on essential business,
should be avoided because of high levels of crime and inter-tribal
violence.”
All New Zealand citizens have been warned that “violent incidents
continue to occur without warning and increasingly so in Port Moresby
and Lae”.
 
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