E/CN.4/2004/56 page 17 (E/CN.4/2003/69), with a view to finding the best ways to prohibit such trade and production and to combat its proliferation. A summary of this study was also brought to the attention of the General Assembly (A/58/120). During the period under review, further information on this matter has been brought to his attention by the Government of Finland as well as specialized agencies of the United Nations, academic institutions and NGOs. The Special Rapporteur regrets that since the submission of his preliminary study no other Government has provided him with further information and comments. 67. In a letter dated 19 December 2002, the Government of Finland informed the Special Rapporteur that “[t]rade in equipment designed to inflict torture does not exist in Finland …. Trade, import and manufacture for trade of dangerous cutting weapons is prohibited according to Finnish legislation. It is the duty of the Ministry of Defence to monitor the import and export of defence equipment. There have been no applications at least in the last 10 years to export out of Finland equipment designed to inflict torture …. The Parliamentary Ombudsman has not found in his inspections nor in the complaints lodged by people any indications of the use or trade of equipment designed to inflict torture”. 68. The Special Rapporteur expresses the wish that he will be able to carry out further work on this issue with a view to finding the best ways to prohibit trade in and production of equipment specifically designed to inflict torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. In this respect, it would be commendable to take into account activities undertaken by the Commission of the European Communities which are aimed at the adoption of a Council regulation on the subject, as well as the recommendations of Amnesty International contained respectively in annexes I and II to the preliminary study of the Special Rapporteur (E/CN.4/2003/69). Notes 1 For further details on the activities of the Special Rapporteur during the session of IACHR, please see his last report to the General Assembly (A/58/120, para. 6). 2 APT is an independent non-governmental organization with consultative status with the Economic and Social Council working worldwide against torture and ill-treatment by focusing on the prevention of such abuses. 3 OMCT is an international coalition of NGOs fighting against torture, summary executions, forced disappearances and all other forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. 4 ACAT is a non-governmental organization which campaigns on behalf of people who are tortured, detained in inhuman conditions, sentenced to death or “disappeared”. 5 Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights. Its handbook “Combating torture: a manual for action” is available at: http://web.amnesty.org/pages/stoptorture-manual-index-eng.

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