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Electroshock torture and the spread of stun technology
THE LANCET
HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Electroshock torture and the spread of stun technology new report from Amnesty Remote-controlled electroshock does not include “third-country” International presents evidence stun belts are increasingly being trafficking—for example, arranging of the widespread use of electroshock used on defendants in US courts, sales to China via Hong Kong torture and the increasing use of stun with presiding judges sometimes representatives or to Cyprus through technology.1 At least 100 companies holding the remote control. The a “South African associate”. belts inflict shocks for 8 s at around the world market modern Most governments in supplier 50 000 V through the wearer’s body. hand-held devices, almost half of countries are even less strict. The US Instruction manuals them in the USA. government approved the export of warn that stun belts Although electric tortaser guns to Saudi Arabia and stun should not be used on ture has been docuguns to Venezuela. A French people with heart mented by Amnesty company admitted having supplied disease, multiple scleInter national for shock devices to countries in North rosis, muscular dysdecades, in the past Africa, and a major German supplier trophy, or epilepsy, or torturers resorted to publishes its catalogue in Russian on pregnant women. primitive methods and Arabic. China and Taiwan are However, the US such as cattle prods. both active exporters. Bureau of Prisons However, modern Amnesty International calls on does not ensure that high-pulse and highcompanies involved in the trade not all prisoners undergo voltage stun weapons to transfer electroshock weapons to a medical examinaare being designed countries with a persistent record of tion before deciding specifically for use on torture, and urges governments to who must wear a human beings. establish inquiries into such weapons stun belt. Amnesty Unlike cattle to ensure that they are not used International believes prods, which can to inflict human rights violations. that these belts are immobilise or cause Stun guns and tasers Health professionals are encouraged specifically designed localised pain, stun to address their governments on this to be a form of degrading punishweapons are designed to inflict disturbing issue. ment rather than a restraint for the immediate and severe pain that can safety of others.2 temporarily incapacitate a person. James Welsh A Turkish nurse who was sexually More than 100 companies in Medical Advisor, Amnesty International, violated with an electric truncheon, industrialised nations, such as London WC1X 8DJ, UK at Adana Police Headquarters in Belgium, China, France, Germany, Turkey, said she “felt a pain as if I Israel, South Africa, Taiwan, and the 1 Arming the torturers: electroshock torture was being drilled there with an USA, manufacture stun weapons. In and the spread of stun technology. London: Amnesty International. AI Index: ACT electric drill”. Victims are tortured, several countries, including Belgium, 40/04/97, March 4, 1997. often repeatedly, with shocks applied Canada, and the UK, electroshock 2 United States of America: use of electo the armpits, neck, face, chest, weapons other than cattle prods are troshock stun belts. London: Amnesty abdomen, inner sides of the legs, reportedly treated as prohibited International. AI Index: AMR 51/45/96, soles of the feet, inside the mouth weapons. But in the UK, the ban June 12, 1996. and ears, on the genitals, and inside the vagina and rectum. Immediate effects include severe pain, loss of Health care under the Taliban muscle control, convulsions, fainting, n Sept 27, 1996, the world because the Taliban rules of work for and involuntary defaecation and watched as the Taliban captured public hospitals and private clinics urination. Long-term effects include Kabul. At first, governments includstate that women should only be muscle stiffness, impotence, scarring, ing Pakistan and the USA, who later attended by female physicians. But and post-traumatic stress disorder. Electrical discharge from a stun denied supporting the Taliban, women who work in areas controlled gun for 3–5 s is enough to incapaciwelcomed their arrival. Oil compaby the Taliban are exposed to brutal tate someone for up to 15 min. Since nies also saw the Taliban takeover as treatment on an almost daily basis. the introduction of stun guns, the a “positive” development. For the Many female doctors and nurses are voltage has increased from 10 000 V people of Kabul, it was the beginning beaten or forced to witness beatings to up to 250 000 V, with similar of a reign of terror. Today, the Taliban of female colleagues by Taliban increases in power and current. Taser rule about two-thirds of Afghanistan guards. These armed young men are guns shoot two wire-trailing darts up and have imposed a strict social and a constant presence in hospitals and to 9 m, and are used in some US legal order in accordance with their are able to intervene whenever they states. According to one forensic fundamentalist interpretation of want to as part of the Department for pathologist cited in the report, “cerIslamic law (Shari'a). Women, in Enforcement of Morals. Two nurses tain medical conditions, including particular, now face severe restrictold me how they were beaten with a drug use and heart disease, may tions on their freedom of movement tree-branch for not wearing burqas increase the risk that the taser will be and access to health care, education, (head-to-toe coverings). When one of lethal . . . the 16 taser-related deaths and employment. the women tried to run away, the in Los Angeles indicate a failure of The Taliban have banned women guard forced her to the ground and the taser as a non-lethal weapon. In from most occupations, however, held her between his legs while he my opinion, the taser contributed to some female doctors and nurses have beat her with the stick. Female at least nine [of these] deaths”. been allowed to continue their work patients also suffer under the strict David Hoffman Photo Library
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Vol 349 • April 26, 1997
1
HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Electroshock torture and the spread of stun technology new report from Amnesty Remote-controlled electroshock does not include “third-country” International presents evidence stun belts are increasingly being trafficking—for example, arranging of the widespread use of electroshock used on defendants in US courts, sales to China via Hong Kong torture and the increasing use of stun with presiding judges sometimes representatives or to Cyprus through technology.1 At least 100 companies holding the remote control. The a “South African associate”. belts inflict shocks for 8 s at around the world market modern Most governments in supplier 50 000 V through the wearer’s body. hand-held devices, almost half of countries are even less strict. The US Instruction manuals them in the USA. government approved the export of warn that stun belts Although electric tortaser guns to Saudi Arabia and stun should not be used on ture has been docuguns to Venezuela. A French people with heart mented by Amnesty company admitted having supplied disease, multiple scleInter national for shock devices to countries in North rosis, muscular dysdecades, in the past Africa, and a major German supplier trophy, or epilepsy, or torturers resorted to publishes its catalogue in Russian on pregnant women. primitive methods and Arabic. China and Taiwan are However, the US such as cattle prods. both active exporters. Bureau of Prisons However, modern Amnesty International calls on does not ensure that high-pulse and highcompanies involved in the trade not all prisoners undergo voltage stun weapons to transfer electroshock weapons to a medical examinaare being designed countries with a persistent record of tion before deciding specifically for use on torture, and urges governments to who must wear a human beings. establish inquiries into such weapons stun belt. Amnesty Unlike cattle to ensure that they are not used International believes prods, which can to inflict human rights violations. that these belts are immobilise or cause Stun guns and tasers Health professionals are encouraged specifically designed localised pain, stun to address their governments on this to be a form of degrading punishweapons are designed to inflict disturbing issue. ment rather than a restraint for the immediate and severe pain that can safety of others.2 temporarily incapacitate a person. James Welsh A Turkish nurse who was sexually More than 100 companies in Medical Advisor, Amnesty International, violated with an electric truncheon, industrialised nations, such as London WC1X 8DJ, UK at Adana Police Headquarters in Belgium, China, France, Germany, Turkey, said she “felt a pain as if I Israel, South Africa, Taiwan, and the 1 Arming the torturers: electroshock torture was being drilled there with an USA, manufacture stun weapons. In and the spread of stun technology. London: Amnesty International. AI Index: ACT electric drill”. Victims are tortured, several countries, including Belgium, 40/04/97, March 4, 1997. often repeatedly, with shocks applied Canada, and the UK, electroshock 2 United States of America: use of electo the armpits, neck, face, chest, weapons other than cattle prods are troshock stun belts. London: Amnesty abdomen, inner sides of the legs, reportedly treated as prohibited International. AI Index: AMR 51/45/96, soles of the feet, inside the mouth weapons. But in the UK, the ban June 12, 1996. and ears, on the genitals, and inside the vagina and rectum. Immediate effects include severe pain, loss of Health care under the Taliban muscle control, convulsions, fainting, n Sept 27, 1996, the world because the Taliban rules of work for and involuntary defaecation and watched as the Taliban captured public hospitals and private clinics urination. Long-term effects include Kabul. At first, governments includstate that women should only be muscle stiffness, impotence, scarring, ing Pakistan and the USA, who later attended by female physicians. But and post-traumatic stress disorder. Electrical discharge from a stun denied supporting the Taliban, women who work in areas controlled gun for 3–5 s is enough to incapaciwelcomed their arrival. Oil compaby the Taliban are exposed to brutal tate someone for up to 15 min. Since nies also saw the Taliban takeover as treatment on an almost daily basis. the introduction of stun guns, the a “positive” development. For the Many female doctors and nurses are voltage has increased from 10 000 V people of Kabul, it was the beginning beaten or forced to witness beatings to up to 250 000 V, with similar of a reign of terror. Today, the Taliban of female colleagues by Taliban increases in power and current. Taser rule about two-thirds of Afghanistan guards. These armed young men are guns shoot two wire-trailing darts up and have imposed a strict social and a constant presence in hospitals and to 9 m, and are used in some US legal order in accordance with their are able to intervene whenever they states. According to one forensic fundamentalist interpretation of want to as part of the Department for pathologist cited in the report, “cerIslamic law (Shari'a). Women, in Enforcement of Morals. Two nurses tain medical conditions, including particular, now face severe restrictold me how they were beaten with a drug use and heart disease, may tions on their freedom of movement tree-branch for not wearing burqas increase the risk that the taser will be and access to health care, education, (head-to-toe coverings). When one of lethal . . . the 16 taser-related deaths and employment. the women tried to run away, the in Los Angeles indicate a failure of The Taliban have banned women guard forced her to the ground and the taser as a non-lethal weapon. In from most occupations, however, held her between his legs while he my opinion, the taser contributed to some female doctors and nurses have beat her with the stick. Female at least nine [of these] deaths”. been allowed to continue their work patients also suffer under the strict David Hoffman Photo Library
A
O
Vol 349 • April 26, 1997
1