NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE
The Celtic League has written to the Council of Europe urging greater controls on the equipment available to law enforcent agencies in member states utilised in `control' situations (see below):
CPT Secretariat
Council of Europe
F67075 Strasbourg Cedex
FRANCE
07/06/13
Dear Sir,
I note that whilst Section VIII of the CPT standards provides guidance to governments on the use of electrical discharge weapons no similar guidance is provided in relation to other riot control equipment used by law enforcement agencies in CoE member States.
You will be aware that riot control equipment specifically chemical sprays and incapacitant gases are widely used.
The use of sprays and incapacitant gases are not always restricted to crowd control and indeed sprays both cs and pepper are sometimes used after persons have been detained and restrained. Also over the years cs gas has been used in prison disturbance situation.
With the development of technology a broad range of weaponry is now available to CoE member states law enforcement agencies under the broad remit of riot control. Sadly in some member states not only CS gas but also the more carcinogenic CR gas is reputedly in use.
We believe it is a major omission on the part of the CPT to disregard this important and critical area relating to the armoury available to law enforcement agencies and the contril thereof.
We are aware of the limits of the CPT mandate but would aver that most responsible States of the Council of Europe would welcome the adoption by the CPT of guidance principles.
We look forward to receiving your response to our concerns and for information I am copying this letter to the Secretary General of the CoE.
Yours sincerely
J B Moffatt (Mr)
Director of Information
Mr Thorbjørn Jagland
Secretary General
Council of Europe
F67075 Strasbourg Cedex
FRANCE
07/06/13
Dear Sir,
I draw your attention to the attached correspondence to the Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman and Degrading Treatment of Punishment.
We trust the Council of Europe either via the CPT or other avenues will address the need for greater controls on the use of weaponry used by CoE member states law enforcement agencies in `control' situations.
Yours sincerely
J B Moffatt (Mr)
Director of Information
Copies of all responses will be posted in due course
Related link on Celtic News here:
J B Moffatt (Mr)
Director of Information
07/06/13
For comment or clarification on this news item in the first instance contact:
General Secretary, Celtic League:
gensec@celticleague.net
The General Secretary will determine the appropriate branch or General Council Officer to respond to your query.
ISSUED BY THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE.
The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on socio-economic issues
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