[JURIST] So-called “less-lethal” weapons used by law enforcement can have deadly consequences [press release], Amnesty International (AI) and the Omega Research Foundation [advocacy websites] said in a briefing [materials] presented Monday to the UN Crime Congress [official website] in Doha, Qatar. Marek Marczynski, Head of Military, Security and Police at AI, stated, “[p]olice force and prison officials have at their disposal a dizzying array of weapons and kit that, while known as ‘less-lethal,’ can cause serious injury or even death. … [B]ody-worn electric shock devices, spiked batons, and thumb cuffs have no place in policing.” AI acknowledged that when used properly, “less-lethal” weapons can minimize the amount of injuries and deaths during protests. However, these weapons can be particularly harmful to elderly, children, pregnant women or those with compromised health. The briefing covered five categories of equipment, including: restraints, kinetic impact devices, riot control agents, electric shock devises and acoustic devices. Under international standards police may use force only when “strictly necessary” and to the extent required by their duties. AI stated that with the exception of the US and the EU, “less-lethal” weapons are poorly regulated and subject to fewer restrictions than conventional weapons. The groups recommended stricter standards and controls for “less-lethal” weapons, licensing systems to ensure they do not end up in the wrong hands, and clear standards in the development of such equipment to ensure proper use.

Police response to protesters remains a controversial human rights issue across the globe. Earlier this month the European Court of Human Rights [official website] ruled [JURIST report] that the beating of a 62-year-old man by an Italian police officer during the Genoa G-8 summit in July of 2001 amounted to torture. In November 2008 an Italian court acquitted [JURIST report] the majority of police officers involved in other alleged G8 human rights violations. Last month Human Rights Watch reported that riot police in Kuwait disbanded protests [JURIST report], arresting 16 protesters who may be charged with attacking law enforcement officers and illegal gathering. The demonstrators were seeking democratic reforms including new parliamentary elections, release of some political prisoners, and an end to judicial corruption.