Download Stopping the Torture Trade - Omega Research Foundation

Stopping the torture trade
© AI
4
stringent controls based on international human rights standards
must be put in place to ensure that they do not end up in the
hands of those who would misuse them to torture prisoners.
Chains, shackles and leg irons
Restraints are sometimes needed by law enforcement officials
to control or protect. However, the circumstances and limits
within which they are used should be consistent with
international human rights standards. These standards
absolutely prohibit torture and ill-treatment and specify that
legitimate restraints may be used only when other measures are
ineffective and only for as long as is strictly necessary.
AI has received numerous reports in recent years of the use of
shackles and handcuffs in the torture and ill-treatment of detainees
in Saudi Arabia. Several former prisoners have described how the
security forces used these restraints in coercing confessions.
However, despite Saudi Arabia’s long-standing record of gross
human rights violations, companies in several countries have
continued to supply the Saudi Arabian authorities with restraints
including leg irons, shackles and handcuffs.
A number of former prisoners have reported that the
restraints used on them in Saudi Arabia were stamped with the
name Smith & Wesson 2 , a US company, or Hiatts, a
United Kingdom (UK) company.
Legcuffs produced by
the UK company Hiatts.