EU# moves to close torture equipment# ban loopholes

The European Parliament voted to close loopholes in legislation banning the export of equipment that could be used for torture or execution in undemocratic countries

Strasbourg (France) (AFP) October 4, 2016 - The European Parliament voted Tuesday to close loopholes in legislation banning the export of equipment that could be used for torture or execution in undemocratic countries.
Legislators updated their 2005 anti-torture legislation to bar European firms from advertising such equipment at trade fairs or online, voting by 612 votes to 11 with 54 abstentions.
'We made the new legislation stronger and more flexible so that the EU can respond quickly to any changes and to the development of new technologies,' said Marietje Schaake, the Dutch liberal lawmaker who steered the legislation through the parliament.
The proposed tighter rules are aimed at blocking the advertising or display of equipment like spiked batons, thumb cuffs and spiked shields that had been legal under the previous legislation.
They also aim to block the transit of banned equipment through EU territory. Even though equipment like electric chairs and spiked thumbscrews were banned, they could pass through Europe under existing legislation.
They would also require transporters, if they have reason to believe the equipment will fall into the wrong hands, to stop the transit of goods that could be used for torture even though they are designed for other purposes.

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