E/CN.4/1998/38 page 41 alternative to shackles or leg-irons. Activation of the belt reportedly transmits a 50,000-volt shock to the left kidney, through blood vessels and nerves for eight seconds, causing severe pain, instant immobilization, and possibly involuntary defecation and urination. Stun belts had allegedly already been used as instruments of restraint during judicial hearings in violation of the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners which prohibit the use of restraints on prisoners when appearing before a judicial authority. Furthermore, serious concerns had been expressed as to the nature of such belts as a device designed to humiliate and degrade. 202. The Special Rapporteur also transmitted 12 individual cases to the Government. He further retransmitted the allegations sent in 1995 concerning which the Government had provided a general reply but had stated at the same time that they would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities for additional information, which had not yet been received by the Special Rapporteur. Observations 203. The Special Rapporteur is concerned at the use of practices such as chain gangs, of instruments of restraint in court and of stun belts and stun guns, some of which can only be intended to be afflictive and degrading, others of which have the same effect. He urges the Government to use all means, including judicial ones, to review the compatibility of such measures with the affected persons’ civil rights. Venezuela 204. In a letter dated 26 May 1997 the Special Rapporteur transmitted complaints about three new cases to the Government. In addition, he again transmitted a number of cases sent in 1996 on which no reply had yet been received. The Special Rapporteur also transmitted an urgent appeal on behalf of one person. The Government provided information on three cases sent by the Special Rapporteur in 1996. 205. In a letter dated 17 September 1997 the Special Rapporteur reminded the Government of the recommendations included in his report on his visit to the country in June 1996 (E/CN.4/1997/7/Add.3), and requested information on measures taken by the Government to put those recommendations into practice. Observations 206. The Government informed the Special Rapporteur that on 15 October 1997 the Supreme Court of Justice declared the Vagrants Act null and void. The Special Rapporteur regrets that he has not received any information from the Government on any follow-up given to the recommendations contained in the report of his 1996 visit to the country. Yemen 207. By letter dated 9 June 1997, the Special Rapporteur advised the Government that he had received information indicating that persons detained for political reasons, particularly those arrested by the Political Security