E/CN.4/2005/62 page 6 instruments and techniques used in law enforcement but implicated in torture and ill-treatment. It highlights some of the challenges in measuring the global trade and proliferation of such instruments and techniques. The report considers the need to monitor developments in security and law enforcement technology that can easily be used for torture. It also considers the need to monitor and control the transfer of interrogation techniques, or know-how, in addition to hardware. An update of the European Commission’s proposal for trade regulation, referred to in the preliminary report (para. 27), is provided. The report concludes with recommendations for a policy strategy for preventing the trade in torture technology. A. Measuring global trade 16. In order to devise a strategy to control the trade and proliferation of torture technology, the supply and demand, as well as the ease with which the movement of goods take place, need to be examined. 17. The following tables are intended to illustrate the regional spread of manufacturing of some commonly used instruments used in law enforcement but implicated in torture and ill-treatment. 18. Restraints. Old-style leg irons can be manufactured by small-scale producers or even, in some cases, by prisoners themselves. Excluding small-scale manufacturers, the number of companies that have been reported to manufacture, distribute or broker the sale of leg cuffs, leg irons and other shackles grew from 5 in the 1970s to 69 between 1998 and 2000.2 However, the actual commercial manufacture of leg irons, leg-cuffs or other shackles appears to be undertaken by at least 20 manufacturers who supply the majority of the military, security, police and correctional markets. Table of “leg iron” manufacturers: 2000-2004 Region Number of companies African States 1 Asian States 11 Eastern European States 1 Latin American and Caribbean States Western European and other States 7 Total 20 19. Seven companies have been identified as manufacturers of thumb-cuffs in Asia. At least two produced rigid thumb-cuffs with serrated inner edges. Between 2000 and 2004, thumb-cuffs have been offered for sale in at least 14 countries, including over the Internet, where one web site selling law enforcement equipment has offered a set of rigid thumb-cuffs with serrated inner edges for less than US$ 10.3 20. Electro-shock devices. Early electro-shock stun weapons were initially developed during the 1970s. In the 1980s some 30 companies worldwide were reported to be producing or supplying electro-shock stun weapons for law enforcement. By 2000, the number had risen to more than 130 companies.4 Between 2000 and 2004 there have been at least 413 manufacturers, brokers or distributers of electro-shock weapons operating in 61 countries around the world: