France: Torture equipment on display at international "homeland security" fair
27 November 2017
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France
Torture equipment on display at international "homeland security" fair
27.11.17
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"Despite strengthened EU regulations against the promotion and trade of instruments of torture, a Chinese company managed to bring such equipment into France this week and display it at a prominent trade fair.
Europe has been steadily tightening the laws concerning torture equipment, the import and export of which was banned in 2006. In 2016 the EU went a step further, prohibiting the promotion and display of such equipment at trade fairs. In spite of that, researchers for Amnesty International found both promotional material for torture devices and several such devices themselves at Milipol Paris, a security trade fair, raising concerns about how they got past customs officials and the event’s enforcement team."
See: After lapses at renowned security fair, Amnesty says France provides a 'marketplace for torturers'(France 24, link):
And: Amnesty discovers gruesome illegal torture equipment for sale in Paris (Amnesty, link):
"Full list of equipment seen by Amnesty International Researchers at Milipol:
Electric Ankle cuffs, spiked electric shock riot fork, electric shock vest, electric shock designed for the thigh, electric shock shield that might be spiked, weighted leg irons, spiked arm guard, heavy leg irons."
The Milipol trade fair invites participants to "take up the challenge of a safer world!" and says:
"The event is organised under the auspices of the French Ministry of Interior in partnership with several governmental bodies.
The Milipol brand is the property of GIE Milipol, which includes the likes of CIVI.POL Conseil, Cofrexport, Protecop, Thales and Visiom. The President of Milipol is also the CEO of CIVI.POL Conseil and chairs the GIE.
For many decades Milipol Paris has enjoyed a worldwide status as the leading event dedicated to the security profession. It provides the perfect forum for presenting the latest technological innovations in the area, effectively meeting the needs of the sector as a whole and also addressing current threats and dangers."
See: About Milipol Paris (link)
The European Commission chose the 2013 edition of Milipol as the venue to launch the current incarnation of the European Security Research Programme, 'Secure societies'. See the Statewatch/TNI report: Market forces
And: Statewatch Analysis: Civilising the torture and execution trade(pdf) by Steve Wright, October 2016
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