Across the world, peaceful protesters have faced waves of repression from police and military forces in deliberate attempts to crush dissent. While less lethal weapons are promoted as safer alternatives to firearms, all too often these weapons are used unlawfully to harass, intimidate, punish or drive away protesters, undermining their right to peaceful assembly.
This briefing explores the widespread, global misuse of kinetic impact projectiles (KIPs), often called rubber or plastic bullets, in the policing of public assemblies.
It also examines the gaps in the regulation of their manufacture, use and trade, and looks at other types of projectiles, such as metal shot (which is not designed for use in law enforcement, is particularly dangerous, and whose use in law enforcement must be prohibited). Finally, it examines the unlawful use of tear gas grenades as projectiles fired directly against individuals, or at low angles into crowds, which is a disturbing global trend that has led to hundreds of serious injuries and some deaths.
Given the grave human rights impacts of KIPs, strict national, regional and global regulation over not just their adoption and use but also their design and trade is essential. This includes the creation of a robust Torture-free Trade Treaty, which bans inherently abusive law enforcement equipment and introduces strict, human rights-based trade controls on other equipment.