UK arms fair under scrutiny over 'cluster munitions' stall

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Observer

UK arms fair under scrutiny over 'cluster munitions' stall
Organisers of Defence and Security International fair shut down stall after action from Amnesty International
Jamie Doward and Alex Binley The Observer, Saturday 17 September 2011

Organisers of the UK's leading arms fair, which last week attracted some 25,000 visitors from around the world, are under pressure to explain why the event was used to promote illegal torture equipment and cluster bombs.

A stall at the Defence and Security International fair (DSEi) in London's Docklands promoted equipment by a company called CTS-Thompson that included leg cuffs, waist chains, lead chains and an "enhanced transport restraint system" that combines chains and cuffs. The DSEi website explicitly states the sale of "leg irons, gang chains, shackles and shackle bracelets" are prohibited. It was not until Amnesty International's intervention that the stall was closed. The revelation is particularly embarrassing for the DSEi as it has been forced to shut down stalls promoting similar equipment in the past.

In 2007, two companies, Cardiff-based BCB International and Famous Glory Holding, a Chinese company, were expelled from the exhibition by organisers, Reed Elsevier, after anti-arms trade campaigners found they were promoting banned leg restraints.

"It is totally unacceptable that this illegal equipment should yet again be advertised at a UK arms fair," said Oliver Sprague of Amnesty International


Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/18/uk-arms-fair-cluster-munitions

[UrbScotty]

1. K&R.

[StarsInHerHair]

2. have they brought back breast-rippers, pope's pears, etc too? sounds like they have