17319: (Simidor) Haiti imports instruments of torture (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Daniel Simidor <karioka9@mail.arczip.com>

U.S. News, 11/24/03

Trade in the tools of torture
The U.S. government OKs the export of shackles and stun guns

By Danielle Knight
The United States has permitted American companies to ship electric-shock weapons and mechanical restraints to 39 countries accused of torturing dissidents and detainees, according to a U.S. News review of export documents and State Department reports. The inquiry established that in the past two years, for instance, stun batons, stun guns, and similar devices were shipped to HAITI, India, Lebanon, and Turkey; the State Department has cited authorities in those countries for torturing prisoners with electric shock devices. Some companies have even found ways to ship their products overseas without seeking a government license, the inquiry found.

(Read rest of article at  http://www.usnews.com/usnews/issue/031124/usnews/24torture.htm)