Torturers rely on foreign governments for the tools of their trade and expertise in how to use them. Some governments are directly involved while others turn a blind eye. This book provides an account of the trade and traces the governments that have shown the political will to put an end to this trade.

Torturers are not born, they are nurtured, trained and supported. In many countries they rely on foreign governments for the tools of their trade and expertise in how to use them. Some governments are directly involved in the torture trade; others prefer to turn a blind eye. Few have shown the political will to put an end to this trade whose profits are built on the suffering of countless torture victims. Some of the tools of the torturer's trade seem almost medieval - shackles, leg irons, thumscrews, handcuffs and whips. However, in recent years there has been a marked expansion in the manufacture, trade and use of other kinds of technology used by security and police forces, especially electro-shock technology. New research for this report has shown that the number of countries worldwide known to be producing or supplying electro-shock equipment had risen from 30 in the 1980s to more than 130 by 2000.

1. Introduction. 2. Restraining Abuse, Chains, Shackles and Leg Irons, Restraint Chairs. 3. Chemical Control, Tear gas, Pepper spray. 4. Shocking Weapons, Electo-shock batons and cattle prods, Stun gun, stun shields and tasers, Electro-shock stun belt, Failure to evaluate and monitor, The spread of electro-shock technology, Loopholes in the regulations. 5. Torture Skills, School of the Americas, Israeli-occupied south Lebanon, Private security services. 6. An Agenda for Action. Endnotes