Amnesty Report Exposes Widespread Misuse of Electroshock Weapons

The report highlights global human rights abuses, including torture and fatalities, linked to the use of Tasers and other electroshock devices by law enforcement.

• Amnesty International's report, based on investigations in over 40 countries from 2014 to 2024, documents extensive misuse of electroshock devices, including Tasers, as tools of torture and excessive force.
• Electroshock weapons are frequently used against vulnerable groups, such as individuals in mental health crises, marginalized communities, and detainees, sometimes leading to severe injuries or death.
• At least 1,000 deaths in the U.S. and 10 in Germany since 2018 have been linked to Taser use, with causes including cardiac arrest and organ failure, though authorities often do not officially attribute these fatalities to Tasers.
• Amnesty calls for stricter global regulations, including banning particularly cruel electroshock weapons, removing the 'Drive-Stun' mode from Tasers, and prohibiting exports to countries with documented abuses.
• The report underscores the lack of adequate medical research on the health risks posed by electroshock devices, which can cause burns, trauma, and other long-term physical and psychological harm.

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