42 LAW-ENFORCEMENT EQUIPMENT IN CENTRAL ASIA AND THE SOUTH CAUCASUS was a commitment to increase security cooperation between China and Uzbekistan, with particular reference to anti-terrorism.105 The USA has been particularly active in providing training in equipment and techniques in Central Asia. Following deadly clashes during the disputed presidential elections in Armenia, the USA announced that it would be launching a programme of training on crowd-control techniques for the Armenian riot police.106 The US Marine Corps also organizes an annual ‘Non-Lethal Weapons Executive Seminar’, in which US military personnel train regional participants in the use of a range of less-lethal weapon systems and tactics. Mongolia has hosted the event three times, in 2007, 2010 and 2013. It is unclear whether equipment is donated by the US military to participants or hosts of the event, although it seems likely that there are follow-up transfers, given that training is afforded on different devices. At the 2013 event in Mongolia, representatives from 22 nations were shown a range of technologies and techniques, including demonstrations of the Taser X26 projectile electric-shock system, and participated in a pepperspray qualification course.107 An area that requires significant scrutiny is the provision of training services by equipment suppliers. Care should be taken that the techniques being taught by private companies do not breach national or international best-practice standards for the use of force. The authors are aware of companies providing police and security equipment in the region as part of a training package whose techniques appear to be similar to those described by the CPT as being of concern. A video by the Czech-based company Euro Security Products shows a 2013 training session for Georgian police personnel.108 The techniques demonstrated include the use of batons to facilitate a neck hold, a technique described by the CPT as having the potential to cause serious injury that should therefore not be used.109 Monitors should therefore ensure that all training is carried out by suitably qualified personnel and that, where companies have provided equipment, any training services also provided are subject to independent scrutiny and oversight and are in line with international standards. They should also ascertain what guidelines for use the manufacturers of specific equipment provide and ensure that those guidelines are in line with international standards. 105 ‘China, Uzbekistan vow tighter security cooperation’, 15 Oct. 2014, <http://www.iteuzbekistan.uz/vis/caips/eng/press/news.php?ELEMENT_ID=12072>. 106 ‘Armenian riot police to get US training’, Asbarez.com, 22 Dec. 2009, <http://asbarez.com/75259/armenian-riot-police-to-get-u-s-training/>. 107 Eberle, B., ‘Non-lethal weapons leadership seminar begins, field training ends, [images]’, Defense Video and Imagery Distribution System, 26 Aug. 2013, <http://www.dvidshub.net/image/1003495/nonlethal-weapons-leadership-seminar-begins-field-training-ends#.VIbjp8khHRs>. A 2014 exercise known as Khaan Quest, also held in Mongolia, involved joint military exercises between the USA and a range of regional participants for soldiers preparing for international peacekeeping missions, and included riotcontrol training. Regional observers included Russia, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. ‘US Military Conducts Exercises in Mongolia’, Eurasianet.org, <http://www.eurasianet.org/node/68881>. 108 Euro Security products, ‘Georgia Training Mission’, <http://www.euro-security.info/eurosecurity.info/_video/Georgia_training_mission_ESP.mp4>. 109 CPT, Report to the Slovenia Government on the Visit to Slovenia carried out by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) from 31 January to 8 February 2006, CPT/Inf (2008) 7, <http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/svn/200807-inf-eng.htm>.