been a number of legal cases related to the use of stun
company states that its electric shock riot shields are used by
shields where plaintiffs have claimed they were tortured
‘local and international Government Security Departments’.
and abused.5
In correspondence with Omega Research Foundation,
• Mental suffering. Even if the electric shock component of a
body-worn device (e.g. a stun belt) is never triggered, simply
wearing a device that can deliver a painful shock at any
moment causes profound mental suffering. A prison inmate
who had a stun belt applied noted that ‘this mental restraint
dated December 2015, the Hungarian Trade Licensing Office
confirmed that Force Products supplied stun belts to the
Hungarian Prison Service in March 2008.14 These are no longer
in use in Hungary, as there has been a de facto ban on bodyworn shock devices in European Union (EU) member states.
was far worse than being beaten. The mental pain and
suffering last far longer’.6
• Humiliating and degrading effects. The UN’s updated
Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners
South Africa is the only known
manufacturer of electric shock devices
for law enforcement in Africa
(the so-called Mandela Rules) state that the ‘use of chains,
irons or other instruments of restraint which are inherently
A number of foreign companies are known to distribute Force
degrading or painful shall be prohibited’.7 A stun belt
Products electric shock equipment. One US supplier states
manufacturer stated that one of the ‘great advantages’
that Force Products stun belts are ‘used by many institutions
of body-worn electric shock weapons is their ability
in the USA and worldwide’.15 Indian company SRG Techno
8
to ‘humiliate the wearer’ – not least through urination
lists Force Products stun belts, stun batons and stun shields
and defecation, which often accompany activation of
on its website. Its customers for this equipment include police
such devices.
forces in New Delhi, Hyderabad, Chandigarh and Kolkata.16
• Violating national laws, regional standards and international
commitments. Internationally, body-worn electric shock
devices have been condemned as having no practical
use other than for the purpose of torture or other forms
of degrading treatment. Other electric shock devices are
also prone to misuse and may lead to torture or other
forms of inhuman treatment. South Africa’s Prevention and
Combating of Torture of Persons Act 13 of 2013 is clear that
‘no one shall be subjected to acts of torture’.9 Article 14 of
the Robben Island Guidelines similarly provides that ‘States
should prohibit and prevent the use, production and trade
Another Indian company, Force Group Asia, also lists Force
Products’ stun belts, stun batons, stun shields and stun guns
on its website.17 Malaysian company RQM Services also
claims to supply Force Products stun belts, stun shields, stun
batons and stun guns.18 Swiss company SecFor currently lists
Force Products stun belts,19 stun shields and stun batons20
on its website. Bahrain-headquartered company Janada
lists Force Products as a partner for supplying ‘tactical
products’, a category that includes shields, anti-riot gear and
body armour.21 It is not clear whether Janada supplies Force
Products electric shock devices.
of equipment or substances designed to inflict torture or
Companies in Botswana, Zimbabwe and Israel previously
ill-treatment’.10
acted as suppliers of Force Products stun equipment, as
did companies in Europe (e.g. Germany).22 However, EU
Made in South Africa, traded abroad
member states are now prohibited from selling body-worn
South Africa is the only known manufacturer of electric shock
electric shock devices under European Commission Council
devices for law enforcement in Africa. Johannesburg-based
Regulation 1236/2005 (the ‘Torture Regulation’).23 Under
Force Products produces a range of electric shock equipment,
the same regulation, hand-held direct contact stun devices
including stun belts, stun shields, stun guns and stun batons.
are controlled for import and export (see the next section
The company has supplied South Africa’s Department of
for further details). Although there are still loopholes in the
Correctional Services with stun belts and stun shields.11
regulation, allowing companies to promote and broker body-
Assegai Trading, another South African company, advertises
worn electric shock devices, the increased trade controls are a
Force Products’ stun equipment on its website.12
significant step towards combating torture and other forms of
The Force Products website states that ‘due to the tremendous
ill-treatment.
response on [sic] International Exhibitions, we have been
Prior to June 2016, Durban-headquartered Imperial Armour
actively exporting our unique range of security products since
advertised its own-brand of ‘anti-riot shock belt’ on its
1991’.13 The company has attended trade shows in, among
website.24 The product was visually similar to the stun belt
other countries, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. The
made by Force Products. Imperial Armour launched the
POLICY BRIEF 84 • JUNE 2016
3