Tip for a Safe Trip Abroad
How To Avoid Legal Difficulties
When you are in a foreign country, you are subject
to its laws and are under its jurisdiction NOT the protection
of the U.S. Constitution.
You can be arrested overseas for actions that may be either
legal or considered minor infractions in the United States. Be
aware of what is considered criminal in the country where you
are. Consular Information Sheets include information on unusual
patterns of arrests in various countries when appropriate.
Some of the offenses for which U.S. citizens have been arrested
abroad are:
Drug Violations. More than 1/3 of U.S. citizens
incarcerated abroad are held on drug charges. Some countries do
not distinguish between possession and trafficking. Many countries
have mandatory sentences - even for possession of a small amount
of marijuana or cocaine. A number of Americans have been arrested
for possessing prescription drugs, particularly tranquilizers
and amphetamines, that they purchased legally in certain Asian
countries and then brought to some countries in the Middle East
where they are illegal. Other U.S. citizens have been arrested
for purchasing prescription drugs abroad in quantities that local
authorities suspected were for commercial use. If in doubt about
foreign drug laws, ask local authorities or the nearest U.S. embassy
or consulate.
Possession of Firearms. The places where U.S.
citizens most often come into difficulties for illegal possession
of firearms are nearby - Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. Sentences
for possession of firearms in Mexico can be up to 30 years. In
general, firearms, even those legally registered in the U.S.,
cannot be brought into a country unless a permit is first obtained
from the embassy or a consulate of that country and the firearm
is registered with foreign authorities on arrival. (Note: If you
take firearms or ammunition to another country, you cannot bring
them back into the U.S. unless you register them with U.S. Customs
before you leave the U.S.)
Photography. In many countries you can be harassed
or detained for photographing such things as police and military
installations, government buildings, border areas and transportation
facilities. If you are in doubt, ask permission before taking
photographs.
Purchasing Antiques. Americans have been arrested
for purchasing souvenirs that were, or looked like, antiques and
which local customs authorities believed were national treasures.
This is especially true in Turkey, Egypt and Mexico. In countries
where antiques are important, document your purchases as reproductions
if that is the case, or if they are authentic, secure the necessary
export permit (usually from the national museum).
Protection Against Terrorism
Terrorist acts occur at random and unpredictably,
making it impossible to protect oneself absolutely. The first
and best protection is to avoid travel to unsafe areas where there
has been a persistent record of terrorist attacks or kidnapping.
The vast majority of foreign states have good records of maintaining
public order and protecting residents and visitors within their
borders from terrorism.
Most terrorist attacks are the result of long and careful planning.
Just as a car thief will first be attracted to an unlocked car
with the key in the ignition, terrorists are looking for defenseless,
easily accessible targets who follow predictable patterns. The
chances that a tourist, traveling with an unpublished program
or itinerary, would be the victim of terrorism are slight. In
addition, many terrorist groups, seeking publicity for political
causes within their own country or region, may not be looking
for American targets.
Nevertheless, the following pointers may help you avoid becoming
a target of opportunity. They should be considered as adjuncts
to the tips listed in the previous sections on how to protect
yourself against the far greater likelihood of being a victim
of crime. These precautions may provide some degree of protection,
and can serve as practical and psychological deterrents to would-be
terrorists.
-- Schedule direct flights if possible and avoid stops in high-risk
airports or areas. Consider other options for travel, such as
trains.
-- Be aware of what you discuss with strangers or what may be
overheard by others.
-- Try to minimize the time spent in the public area of an airport,
which is a less protected area. Move quickly from the check-in
counter to the secured areas. On arrival, leave the airport as
soon as possible.
-- As much as possible, avoid luggage tags, dress and behavior
which may identify you as an American.
-- Keep an eye out for suspicious abandoned packages or briefcases.
Report them to airport security or other authorities and leave
the area promptly.
-- Avoid obvious terrorist targets such as places where Americans
and Westerners are known to congregate.
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