Electric shock weapons 2.6 PROJECTILE ELECTRIC SHOCK WEAPONS Key Technical Features Small, usually pistol-shaped. These weapons fit one or more cartridges, which usually contain 2 darts (or probes) attached to thin wires. When fired from the cartridge, the probes deliver an electric shock to the target, remaining attached to the weapon by the wires. These weapons deliver a high-voltage shock that causes the target individual to lose muscle control (neuro-muscular incapacitation). Range, voltage, and duration varies between models. Some weapons can be used in direct contact mode (called 'drive stun' or 'touch stun'), where they touch the skin. Human Rights Concerns The use of these weapons causes severe pain as well as incapacitation and loss of body posture, which can result in secondary injuries through falls. Studies have also found a risk of cardiac, respiratory, and brain injuries and complications, including a number of cases where death has occurred subsequent to the use of the weapon. These weapons are open to misuse through sustained or multiple shocks, or through shocks on vulnerable areas of the body. The direct contact mode has no legitimate law enforcement use. Statements and Standards from Human Rights Bodies Examples of Existing Controls CAT: “electrical discharge weapons should be used exclusively in extreme and limited situations – where there is a real and immediate threat to life or risk of serious injury”. 82 They also assert that the use of the weapons in drive stun mode should be prohibited. 83 CPT: “the use of [electric discharge weapons] should be limited to situations where there is a real and immediate threat to life or risk of serious injury. Recourse to such weapons for the sole purpose of securing compliance with an order is inadmissible.” 84 The EU Anti-Torture Regulation controls the export of this equipment and allows Member States to prohibit the trade. The US CCL controls the export of this equipment. Manufacture should be controlled. Proposed Control Trade and transfer should be controlled. Use should conform with international human rights standards. UN CAT, Concluding observations on the fifth periodic report of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 2013, para. 26. 82 UN CAT, Concluding observations on the sixth periodic report of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 2019, paras. 28 and 29. 83 CoE: CPT, ‘Electrical Discharge Weapons’, Extract from the 20th General Report of the CPT, 2010, CPT/Inf(2010)28-part, para. 70. 84 61