Tools of Torture and Repression in South America
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................ 4
SECTION I: USE OF FORCE RULES AND REGULATIONS ............................................................................ 7
OVERVIEW........................................................................................................................................... 7
GOOD PRACTICE AND PROTECTION GAPS .......................................................................................... 9
SECTION II: ABUSE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT EQUIPMENT IN SOUTH AMERICA ................................... 14
II.I
POLICING PUBLIC ASSEMBLIES.............................................................................................. 14
Kinetic impact devices................................................................................................................... 15
Chemical irritants .......................................................................................................................... 18
Live ammunition ........................................................................................................................... 20
Water cannon ............................................................................................................................... 22
Stun grenades ............................................................................................................................... 23
II.II
TORTURE AND ILL-TREATMENT IN DETENTION .................................................................... 24
Restraints ...................................................................................................................................... 25
Kinetic impact projectiles .............................................................................................................. 28
Chemical irritants .......................................................................................................................... 29
Electric shock weapons ................................................................................................................. 30
SECTION III: PRODUCTION AND TRADE OF SOUTH AMERICAN LAW ENFORCEMENT EQUIPMENT .... 33
III.I
OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................. 33
State-owned companies ............................................................................................................... 33
Licensed production ...................................................................................................................... 35
Private companies......................................................................................................................... 36
III.II
SOUTH AMERICAN MANUFACTURERS’ EXPORTS AND PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES ............. 37
Attendance at trade fairs and other promotional activity............................................................ 37
Exports .......................................................................................................................................... 38
SECTION IV: LAW ENFORCEMENT EQUIPMENT IMPORTED INTO SOUTH AMERICA............................ 43
SECTION V: TRADE CONTROLS .............................................................................................................. 49
V.I
SOUTH AMERICAN TRADE CONTROLS ON LAW ENFORCEMENT EQUIPMENT..................... 49
V.II
CONTROLLING LICENSED PRODUCTION ............................................................................... 53
V.III
REGIONAL CONTROLS ........................................................................................................... 56
SECTION VI: CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS ............................................................................................... 59
CONCLUSION......................................................................................................................................... 61
RECOMMENDATIONS ....................................................................................................................... 62
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