Amnesty Int'l Seeks Military's Taser Files

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Mon, Nov. 29, 2004

Amnesty Int'l Seeks Military's Taser Files

SAM HANANEL
Associated Press


WASHINGTON - Amnesty International is asking the Defense Department whether the military used Taser electric stun guns on prisoners in Iraq or Afghanistan, saying it is uneasy about reports of mistreatment and abuse. The human rights group said it made the request under the Freedom of Information Act after interviewing dozens of prisoners formerly held by U.S. forces.

"We do have credible evidence that certainly raises the question that Tasers might have been used," Gerald Le Melee, Amnesty International USA's deputy executive director, said Monday.

Amnesty has long expressed misgivings about the safety of Tasers and whether they are open to abuse because they can inflict severe pain without leaving marks. The group has urged law enforcement agencies to suspend the use of all electroshock weapons pending the outcome of a vigorous independent inquiry into whether the weapons pose health risks.
(snip)

Amnesty's request concerning prisoners seeks information on computer chips stored inside Taser guns that record the date, time and duration of each electric shock administered.

The group also is requesting information about deaths that might have occurred after a Taser was used, as well as training materials and guidelines for how soldiers are to use the weapons.
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http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/breaking_news/10296934.htm
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[NNN0LHI]

1. Amnesty International must be getting information from the tracking chips?

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=32307

New Tasers wired for audio-video

<snip>The controversial weapons deliver an electric shock to their victims and are used by law enforcement officers to subdue unruly or threatening suspects.

"The (video-power device) is one more feature of the Taser X26 that allows officers to capture vital information prior to, during and after the deployment of nonlethal force," chief executive Rick Smith said.

The Taser already contains tracking chips that record the time when the weapon is fired, but the audio-video feature will provide additional details for auditing incidents, said company spokesman Steve Tuttle.

"It eliminates some of the questions that arise during use of force," he said.

The new technology is being introduced at a time when Taser International is under fire from human rights advocates. Amnesty International, a long-time critic of Taser, will release a report Tuesday that is expected to question the safety of the stun guns and call for suspension of their use until more tests are conducted. In the past the organization has called Tasers instruments of torture.

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[RivetJoint]

2. How hard is it to remove the chips?

[NNN0LHI]

3. Probably not that hard, but I think then the Taser no worky? n/t