use would appear to constitute a punishment in itself, as well as being degrading and facilitating further abuse. It is particularly bad practice to use the neck as a restraint point because of the chance of interference with basic functions such as breathing, blood circulation and nerve communication between the brain and body.33 Multifunctional chains: These chains can be used to fix the detainee in a variety of positions, including fixing the neck and hands together. Amnesty International therefore has similar concerns about such equipment to those described above. The brochure of one Chinese company details 15 different ways of cuffing detainees using a chain, some of which are shown above.34 Combination handcuffs linked to leg cuffs: These cuffs are linked together by a chain and fasten around the wrist or ankle of a detainee or prisoner. They are widely manufactured and promoted by Chinese companies. The use of combination hand and ankle cuff devices causes unnecessary discomfort and can easily result in injuries. Such devices place unwarranted restrictions on the movement of detainees and serve no legitimate law enforcement purpose that cannot be achieved by the use of handcuffs alone, or in exceptional circumstances by the use of humanely designed ankle cuffs in addition to separate handcuffs. © Robin Ballantyne Rigid restraint chairs: These are chairs in which a detainee is usually restrained by multiple straps restraints at points including the wrists, elbow, shoulder, chest, waist, thigh or ankle. However, restraint chairs identified as being manufactured in China for use in prisons and places of detention are particularly rigid with the fixed wrist and ankle restraints sometimes made of metal and wood. This could lead to detainees becoming injured. In 2000, the UN Committee against Torture recommended the complete abolition of restraint chairs for those in custody as “their use almost invariably leads to breaches of article 16 of the Convention [the prohibition against cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment].” 35 Amnesty International and Omega also considers that such chairs have no legitimate law enforcement use. In exceptional cases, chairs designed flexibly with soft fabric restraints to prevent individuals from becoming injured may be used legitimately by specially trained medical above: Thumb cuffs right : Multifunctional chains from Chen Ye Tian Ying Police Equipment Technology Development Co, Ltd.’s brochure, undated but obtained in 2004. It details 15 ways in which a person can be restrained with multifunctional chains. 8 China’s Trade in Tools of Torture and Repression Amnesty International – Index: ASA 17/042/2014