EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Several EU countries buy and sell equipment used in torture such as spike batons, metal thumb cuffs and electric-shock stun sleeves delivering 50,000-volt shocks to detainees, despite a 2006 EU law against the trade, according to a report from human rights watchdogs Amnesty international and the Omega Research Foundation. The report reveals how EU countries including Spain, Germany, Hungary and the Czech Republic have authorised exports of policing weapons and other possible torture tools to at least nine countries where use of such equipment in torture has been documented. "The introduction of European controls on the trade in `tools of torture' ... was a landmark piece of legislation. But three years after these controls came into force, several European states have failed to properly implement or enforce the law," said Nicolas Beger, director of Amnesty International's EU office. According to the document, law enforcement equipment suppliers in Italy and Spain have promoted the sale of illegal electroshock cuffs or sleeves thanks to loopholes in the EU law that permit their trade, even though similar electric stun belts are prohibited for import and export across the EU on the grounds that their use inherently constitutes torture or ill treatment. Hungary in 2005 even declared its intention to introduce such electric stun belts into its own prisons and police stations, despite the import and export ban.
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Several EU countries buy and sell equipment used in torture such as spike batons, metal thumb cuffs and electric-shock stun sleeves delivering 50,000-volt shocks to detainees, despite a 2006 EU law against the trade, according to a report from human rights watchdogs Amnesty international and the Omega Research Foundation.
The report reveals how EU countries including Spain, Germany, Hungary and the Czech Republic have authorised exports of policing weapons and other possible torture tools to at least nine countries where use of such equipment in torture has been documented.
"The introduction of European controls on the trade in `tools of torture' ... was a landmark piece of legislation. But three years after these controls came into force, several European states have failed to properly implement or enforce the law," said Nicolas Beger, director of Amnesty International's EU office.
According to the document, law enforcement equipment suppliers in Italy and Spain have promoted the sale of illegal electroshock cuffs or sleeves thanks to loopholes in the EU law that permit their trade, even though similar electric stun belts are prohibited for import and export across the EU on the grounds that their use inherently constitutes torture or ill treatment.
Hungary in 2005 even declared its intention to introduce such electric stun belts into its own prisons and police stations, despite the import and export ban.
The EU ban on trade of instruments of torture may be consulted through this web page.
Italy seems to be leading the pack of scoundrels with six companies (page 34).
As folk may know I have spent the past year touring the country getting audiences to propose, discuss and vote for policies to make the world a better place. The end result is the People's Manifesto published by Ebury Press (out 28th Jan 10). Before publication the publishers PR department called and asked if I had any ideas to promote the book. "Er thats your job." I whined , clearing my throat before continuing,"I do the writing and you do the PR. I don't phone you up and say, "Have you got any spare commas?" "Well it's your book, we just thought you might want it to do well...." "OK. What about this for an idea, if you want to stand in the general election you have to pay £500 deposit, which you don't get back if you get less than 5% of the vote. Most independent candidates lose their deposit, which I reckon discourages people from standing... So would Ebury be prepared to pay a candidates deposit?" "What in the election?" "Yes. Pay their deposit and £500 worth of campaigning funds to help them out... Obviously whoever stands has to use the People's Manifesto as the basis for their election campaign."
As folk may know I have spent the past year touring the country getting audiences to propose, discuss and vote for policies to make the world a better place. The end result is the People's Manifesto published by Ebury Press (out 28th Jan 10). Before publication the publishers PR department called and asked if I had any ideas to promote the book.
"Er thats your job." I whined , clearing my throat before continuing,"I do the writing and you do the PR. I don't phone you up and say, "Have you got any spare commas?"
"Well it's your book, we just thought you might want it to do well...."
"OK. What about this for an idea, if you want to stand in the general election you have to pay £500 deposit, which you don't get back if you get less than 5% of the vote. Most independent candidates lose their deposit, which I reckon discourages people from standing... So would Ebury be prepared to pay a candidates deposit?"
"What in the election?"
"Yes. Pay their deposit and £500 worth of campaigning funds to help them out... Obviously whoever stands has to use the People's Manifesto as the basis for their election campaign."
