Europe proposes ban on torture equipment

The European Commission today proposed EU-wide legislation banning the trade of goods designed for torture and executions.

The proposal, which needs the backing of all 25 EU governments, would order countries to impose “strict controls” on those products, as well as on multi-purpose goods that could be used “to inflict torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment,” the EU executive said in a statement from Brussels.

EU spokeswoman Emma Udwin said trade in such goods from EU nations was “extremely minimal", and the proposed legislation updated national rules already banning such trade. “There is no huge flow of equipment that has to be halted,” she said.

The proposal will impose a “blanket trade ban” on goods specifically made for killing or torture, including electric shock belts, electric chairs or guillotines.

It also provides EU guidelines on strict controls for the control of exports of multiple-use goods such as leg irons and electric shock weapons that have both a legitimate use, but also could be used for torture.

The sale of weapons such as guns and other military equipment would also fall under the proposal forcing national authorities to keep an eye on arms exports to conflict zones.