Electric shock weapons 2.1 BODY-WORN ELECTRIC SHOCK DEVICES These devices are worn on the body (e.g. as a belt, sleeve, cuff, or vest). Key Technical Features The electric shock is delivered by a third-party activating device by remote control. The remote control range, voltage, and length of shock can vary between models. The electric shock causes severe pain and causes muscles to contract involuntarily, rendering the target individual immobile. Other physical effects can include muscular weakness, involuntary urination and defecation (when device is worn around the waist), heartbeat irregularities, seizures, and welts on the skin. Human Rights Concerns The person holding the remote control can easily abuse the target individual through delivering multiple or continuous shocks. These devices can also be activated accidentally. Wearing the device with the continuous threat of receiving a painful electric shock can cause profound mental suffering to the target individual. Body-worn electric shock weapons are inherently degrading and fulfils no legitimate law enforcement purpose that cannot be achieved through less harmful means. CPT: electric shock belts are “inherently degrading for the person to whom it is applied, and the scope for misuse is particularly high.” 73 Statements and Standards from Human Rights Bodies Examples of Existing Controls CAT: electric shock stun belts should be abolished as a method of restraining those in custody. 74 UNODC and OHCHR: “there is no tactical utility [in electric shock belts] … that cannot be achieved with another device, and the risk of arbitrary force amounting to torture or other forms of ill-treatment is too great. As such, their use is not advised.” 75 The EU Anti-Torture Regulation prohibits the trade in this equipment. The US CCL controls the export of this equipment. Manufacture should be prohibited. Proposed Control Transfer should be prohibited. Use should be prohibited. 73 CoE: CPT, CPT Standards, “Substantive” sections of the CPT’s General Reports, January 2015, para. 74. 74 UN CAT, Conclusions and Recommendations of the CAT: United States of America, 15 May 2000, p.32. 75 UNODC and OHCHR, Resource book on the use of force and firearms in law enforcement, 2017, p. 94. 51