Omega Research Foundation Handcuffs displayed Milipol 2015, Paris, France. ©Robin Ballantyne, Omega Research Foundation Common handcuffs consist of two adjustable wrist cuffs joined together by a short chain that allows a limited degree of movement. Other types include hinged and rigid handcuffs (i.e. those that are joined by a rigid bar, rather than a chain). Handcuffs can be double-locking, designed to prevent overtightening, and single locking, which can be progressively tightened through a ratchet (by both the law enforcement officer and the detainee). Although all handcuffs can be abused for torture and other ill-treatment, rigid and single locking handcuffs pose a greater risk of injury and abuse than others. There are reports of handcuffs being abused in places of detention in Argentina, Brazil,97 Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela. However, the abuse of restraints often goes unreported. Illustrative country examples of torture and ill-treatment with restraints Argentina: According to official statistics of the cases of torture or ill-treatment registered in 2014 by the Ombudsman for prisoners’ rights under federal jurisdiction, 62% of victims were handcuffed or otherwise restricted.98 CELS reports that when minors are detained by police, they are often left handcuffed in the bathroom for hours as they cannot be legally detained in a police station.99 High-profile cases of torture perpetrated against those deprived of their liberty include the case in January 2012, of Patricio Barros Cisneros was beaten to death by a group of eight to 10 penitentiary service officials while handcuffed.100 Paraguay: After a follow-up visit carried out in 2010, the UN SPT described one instance where a detainee was handcuffed and forced to kneel while police officers stepped on the handcuffs and beat him.101 An investigation was opened for the alleged torture and illtreatment of three detainees in the Buen Pastor Prison in the first half of 2014. Two female 97 UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Report on the visit of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment to Brazil, 5 July 2012, UN Doc. CAT/OP/BRA/1, para. 127. 98 Procuración Penitenciaria de la Nación, La Situación de los Derechos Humanos en las Cárceles Federales de la Argentina: Informe Anual 2014, p. 66. 99 CELS, Derechos Humanos en Argentina: Informe 2013, p. 153. 100 Ibid. p. 293. 101 UN SPT, Report on the follow-up visit to the Republic of Paraguay from 13 to 15 September 2010, 30 May 2011, UN Doc. CAT/OP/PRY/2, para. 51. 26