A comprehensive report titled “How Crowd-Control Weapons Impact Health and Human Rights” has uncovered that at least 119,000 individuals have been injured by crowd-control weapons globally since 2015. The injuries stem from the use of tear gas canisters, chemical irritants, rubber bullets, and other devices employed by authorities to manage and disperse crowds.
The study was conducted by Physicians for Human Rights and the International Network of Civil Liberties Organizations. These groups highlight the alarming number of casualties resulting from what they describe as a largely unregulated industry. According to the report, the true number of injuries is likely higher, as many incidents go unreported or are difficult to document.
Unregulated Industry Raises Concerns
The organizations emphasize the challenges in tracking the full extent of the harm caused by crowd-control weapons. They point to a lack of transparency and oversight in the manufacturing and deployment of these devices. The report calls for stricter regulations and accountability measures to prevent misuse and excessive force.
Impact on Global Communities
The findings have significant implications for countries across Asia and the world, where protests and public demonstrations have been met with aggressive crowd-control tactics. The report urges governments and law enforcement agencies to reassess their policies and prioritize the protection of human rights.
Recommendations for Change
Among the recommendations, the groups advocate for:
Implementing stricter international regulations on the production and export of crowd-control weapons.
Training law enforcement on appropriate use-of-force guidelines that respect human rights.
Establishing transparent reporting mechanisms for incidents involving crowd-control weapons.
Global Call to Action
The report’s authors hope that by shedding light on the human cost of these weapons, international bodies, governments, and civil society will take meaningful steps to address the issue. They stress the importance of upholding the rights of individuals to assemble and express themselves without fear of undue harm.
