Friday, November 23, 2007

The United Nations on TASER™ weapons



Committee Against Torture Concludes 39th Session

November 23, 2007

"During this morning’s meeting, the Committee adopted its General Comment on Article 2 of the Covenant which requires States parties to take effective legislative, administrative, judicial or other measures to prevent acts of torture in any territory under its jurisdiction.

The Committee was worried that the use of TaserX26 weapons, provoking extreme pain, constituted a form of torture, and that in certain cases it could also cause death, as shown by several reliable studies and by certain cases that had happened after practical use."

On March 23, 2006, TASER International, Inc.announced that the RCMP had ordered 216 TASER™ X26 devices at a cost of $250,000 to supplement the 1,800 ADVANCED TASER™ 26 devices already in use in Canada.

Amnesty International Canada has also called for a moratorium on their use until such time as they can be used safely.

PSA : Don't forget the rally for Robert Dziekanski at the VAG at noon tomorrow in Vancouver. A film crew from Poland will be documenting the protest.

Update : Getting It Right reports the UN story from 24 Hours

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