VOA慢速英语2016 联合国呼吁美国采取更严格法律管制枪支

AS IT IS 2016-06-15 UN Official Calls for Stronger US Gun Laws 联合国呼吁美国采取更严格法律管制枪支

The United Nations’ human rights chief has urged the United States to establish stronger gun control measures.

联合国人权组织高级专员督促美国对枪支实行更为严格的管制措施。

Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein is the U.N. High Commissioner¹ for Human Rights. He says the current gun laws are too easy and, in his words, leave “little space between murderous impulses and actions that result in death.”

扎伊德·拉阿德·扎伊德·侯赛因是联合国的高级人权专员。他表示目前的枪支管制法律过于松懈，他说，“杀人动机与杀人行为之间”没有遗留一丝“可供缓冲的空间”。

His comments were made in a statement on Tuesday.

周二，他在一次演讲中发表了上述评论。

The statement came two days after the largest mass shooting in U.S. history. Forty-nine people were killed in the attack early Sunday at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

美国史上最大规模的枪杀案发生两天之后，扎伊德发表了该演讲。周日凌晨，佛罗里达奥兰多市一家同性恋夜店发生枪击案，致49人遇难。

The U.N. human rights chief knows the United States well. From 2007 to 2010, Zeid served as Jordan’s ambassador to the U.S. and Mexico.

这位联合国人权组织高级专员十分了解美国的现状。2007年至2010年，扎伊德曾担任约旦驻美国、墨西哥大使。

In the statement, Zeid was critical of what he called “irresponsible pro-gun propaganda.” He asked how many more shootings the U.S. must experience before Congress takes action.

扎伊德在演讲中严厉批判了那些“支持持枪等不负责任的宣传”。他反问道，还得发生多少例枪击案，美国议会才会采取行动？

“Society — in particular its most vulnerable communities and minorities who are already facing widespread prejudice — pay a high price for the failure to stand up to the lobbyists and take the necessary measures to protect citizens from gun violence,” Zeid said.

“尤其是如今这样一个拥有多数弱势群体和少数面临偏见的群体的社会——可能会因未能抵抗、采取必要措施保护市民免于枪支暴力而付出惨痛的代价。”扎伊德说道。

He added that the families of those killed in mass shootings have the right to stronger gun controls.

他还指出，此次大规模枪杀案的遇难者家属有权要求进行更为严格的枪支管制。

Words in This Story

impulses – n. sudden strong desires to do something

prejudice – n. an unfair feeling of dislike for a person or group because of race, sex or religion

vulnerable – adj. easily hurt or harmed physically², mentally or emotionally

lobbyists – n. an organized group of people who work together to influence government decisions that relate to a particular industry or issue

gay – adj. sexually attracted to someone who is the same sex

nightclub – n. a place that is open at night, has music, dancing or a show and usually serves alcoholic³ drinks and food

irresponsible – adj. not having or showing maturity or good judgment

1 commissioner   

n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员

参考例句：

• The commissioner has issued a warrant for her arrest.专员发出了对她的逮捕令。
• He was tapped for police commissioner.他被任命为警务处长。

2 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。

3 alcoholic   

adj.（含）酒精的，由酒精引起的；n.酗酒者

参考例句：

• The alcoholic strength of brandy far exceeds that of wine.白兰地的酒精浓度远远超过葡萄酒。
• Alcoholic drinks act as a poison to a child.酒精饮料对小孩犹如毒药。