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Europe Panel Proposes Torture Trade Ban
 The European Commission proposed EU-wide legislation Thursday banning the trade of goods designed for torture and executions, including electric shock belts, electric chairs and guillotines. The proposal, which needs the backing of all 25 European Union governments, would order countries to impose "strict controls" on those products and multipurpose goods that could be used "to inflict torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment," the EU executive said in a statement. Among the multiple-use goods were leg irons and electric shock weapons that have both a legitimate use but also could be used for torture. EU spokeswoman Emma Udwin said trade in such goods from EU nations is "extremely minimal," and the proposed legislation updates similar national rules already in place. "There is no huge flow of equipment that has to be halted," she said.
Posted by: Fred 2005-07-01 |
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| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=122925 |