Download or read book Tools of Torture and Repression in South America written by and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page 65 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Many South American states have transitioned from military dictatorships to democracies relatively recently and some security forces continue to operate within largely authoritarian structures as tools of repression.1 Common features of these public security regimes include excessive use of force against protesters, abuse of preventive detention, torture and ill-treatment in places of detention, a lack of transparency within law enforcement authorities2 and prison overcrowding.3 UN, regional and national human rights monitors and mechanisms, and non-governmental organizations have documented torture and other ill-treatment against protesters and detainees. This report examines the equipment used to perpetrate human rights violations, the companies involved in its manufacture and trade, and the national and regional export control regimes. It is notable that most reported human rights violations against prisoners and protesters in South America are carried out with equipment that could have a legitimate law enforcement function if used appropriately, such as ordinary handcuffs, as opposed to equipment which is inherently cruel, inhuman or degrading, such as thumb cuffs. The report makes recommendations on the use of law enforcement equipment which states are encouraged to implement in order to prevent further abuses.