Illegal trade in goods which could be used for torture
18.3.2010
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2016/10
by Nikolaos Chountis (GUE/NGL)
to the Commission
According to a report by Amnesty International and a research foundation, many Member States buy and sell goods which could be used for torture, in breach of Council Regulation (EC) No 1236/2005 of 27 June 2005 concerning trade in certain goods which could be used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment[1].
According to the report, the technique used by companies is to ship the disassembled goods in several stages, so that they can be assembled at their destination. The report then states that Member States have issued export licences for foot shackles, chemical sprays and electric-shock weapons and that some Member State police forces have bought goods from these companies, such as handcuffs and even special sleeves which give the victim a 50 000 volt electric shock. The report concludes that, three years after the entry into force of the regulation, many Member States have not transposed or do not apply it, and that, of the 27 Member States, only seven comply with the legal requirement to publish exports.
Would the Commission state:
- 1.which Member States import or export such goods and which Member States have published exports as they are required to?
- 2.what measures does it intend to take to ensure that export controls on European police and security equipment are truly effective and that Member States comply with the regulation?
- [1] OJ L 200, 30.7.2005, p. 1.
OJ C 138 E, 07/05/2011