Tools of Torture and Repression in South America Projectiles of varying sizes can be fired using the same calibre ammunition, e.g. a 40mm cartridge could contain one large projectile or dozens of small projectiles. While compiling this report, Omega came across numerous reports of the abusive use of kinetic impact projectiles against people exercising their right to peaceful assembly throughout the region. Furthermore, a number of local human rights defenders and civil society organisations consulted identified this as one of their key concerns regarding the abusive use of law enforcement equipment in their respective countries. Illustrative country examples of excessive use of force with kinetic impact projectiles Venezuela: In 2014, there were several reports of inappropriate use of kinetic impact projectiles by Venezuelan law enforcement officials. As well as using rubber bullets in enclosed spaces, law enforcement officials fired rubber bullets which hit youths in the eyes in protests in Táchira and Carabobo States, one of whom later died from his injuries.50 In addition, it is reported that post-electoral protests in 2013 were met with excessive force including several instances of protesters being shot in the back with rubber bullets. On one occasion a fleeing protester fell and was shot in the legs at point-blank range for ‘running away and protesting against the government’.51 Argentina: The use of rubber ammunition to disperse protests, in violation of the Minimum Criteria for the Conduct of Police Bodies and Security Forces in Public Demonstrations,52 has been highlighted as an issue of particular concern. On 22 October 2014, the national Gendarmerie shot rubber ammunition at a group of workers protesting against their dismissals by an auto parts factory. Over 50 people were injured by the rubber ammunition, five of them seriously, and it was alleged that the Gendarmerie continued shooting at workers as they fled.53 Subsequently, a San Isidro Federal Court judge ordered that the Gendarmerie be replaced in further operations connected with this labour dispute by another law enforcement agency ‘with the capacity for dialogue and restraint in order to avoid future escalations of violence’.54 Brazil: Law enforcement officials in Brazil have reportedly used rubber bullets to repress peaceful protests. The IACHR expressed concern over the excessive use of force in June 2013, particularly with regard to the targeting of journalists covering protests in São Paulo. Journalists Fábio Braga, Giuliana Vallone and Sérgio Silva were reportedly hit in the face with 50 Amnesty International, Amnesty International Report 2014/15: The State of the World’s Human Rights, pp. 401-402. 51 COFAVIC, Informe situación de Derechos Humanos en Venezuela en el contexto post electoral de abril de 2013, pp. 25-26. 52 Argentinian Ministry of Security, ‘Criterios Mínimos sobre la Actuación de los Cuerpos Policiales Fuerzas de Seguridad en Manifestaciones Públicas’, published in: Los Nuevos Paradígmas del Ministerio de Seguridad y el Consenso Federal, <http://www.minseg.gob.ar/sites/default/files/Publicaciones/Los%20Nuevos%20Paradigmas%20del%20Minist erio%20de%20Seguridad%20y%20el%20Consenso%20Federal.pdf> [accessed 31 May 2016]. 53 CELS, Derechos humanos en Argentina: Informe 2015, pp. 299, 303 54 Sandra Arroyo Salgado, ‘Hay cortes que se convalidan y que son acompañados por las fuerzas de seguridad y otros no,’ La Nación, 5 November 2014, <http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1741436-una-jueza-ordeno-retirar-a-lagendarmeria-de-los-operativos-antipiquete-en-panamericana> [accessed 31 May 2016]. 17