Tools of Torture and Repression in South America Venezuela: The indiscriminate use of high pressure water cannons against peaceful protesters has been reported in Venezuela.83 Amnesty International reports this has been done without prior warning and without giving protesters the chance to leave the area.84 This equipment is inherently indiscriminate and can affect bystanders. In addition, the use of a mixture of water and chemicals makes it impossible to deliver accurate targeted doses of the irritant. Jets of water also have high kinetic energy and can knock people to the ground. Injuries such as fractures, bruising and concussion have been reported, particularly when individuals are struck from close range. Recommendations   If rigorous testing demonstrates its suitability for law enforcement purposes, water cannon should only be used proportionately, lawfully and to the minimal extent possible in cases where it is strictly necessary to contain or disperse individuals or a group participating in a public assembly. They should only be used when the level of violence has reached such a degree that law enforcement officials cannot contain the threat by directly targeting violent persons. Operational rules should give exact instructions on the use of water cannon, including the minimum safe firing distance and prohibit the targeting of those in elevated positions where the risk of subsequent falls is high. Stun grenades Stun grenades (also known as flashbang grenades, flash-bangs or distraction devices) are handthrown or weapon-launched explosive devices which emit an extremely loud noise and/or a bright flash of light designed to disorientate and shock.85 They can also contain chemical irritants or rubber balls / projectiles. As well as being used widely by military forces, stun grenades are also increasingly used by law enforcement for riot control purposes. There are reports of arbitrary use of stun grenades in Brazil86 and Colombia. Illustrative country example of excessive use of force with stun grenades Colombia: Stun grenades have reportedly been used against protesters and those documenting the actions of law enforcement officers during public gatherings. In July 2013, journalist Fred Nuñez was injured after ESMAD officers allegedly threw a stun grenade at him from close range.87 Stun grenades were one of the means of force used arbitrarily during the agricultural strikes of August 2013. On one occasion, a stun grenade was thrown into a residence in which there were seven minors at the time.88 The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights included the case of 14-year-old Natalia Bernal, who lost an eye to shrapnel 83 COFAVIC, ‘COFAVIC presentó balance de DDHH en Venezuela año 2014,’ 28 October 2014, <http://www.cofavic.org/28102014-cofavic-presento-balance-de-ddhh-en-venezuela-ano-2014/#.Vio2tivl-Bs> [accessed 31 May 2016]. 84 Amnesty International, Venezuela: Human Rights at Risk amid Protests, 2014, p. 5. 85 Omega Research Foundation, Crowd Control Technologies: An appraisal of technologies for political control. Published by the European Parliament, June 2000, PE Number: PE 168. 394/Fin.St., p. 25. 86 Amnesty International, ‘They use a strategy of fear’: Protecting the right to protest in Brazil, 2014, p. 8. 87 Colectivo de Abogados, ‘Herido gravemente periodista alternativo Fred Nuñez de Colectivo Brecha, durante enfrentamientos del ESMAD contra Campesinos en Catatumbo,’ 29 July 2013, <http://www.colectivodeabogados.org/?Herido-gravemente-periodista> [accessed 31 May 2016]. 88 Human Rights Monitoring Mission, note 67. 23