The United Nations has raised significant concerns regarding the promotion of torture-related equipment after disturbing findings at Milipol 2025, an arms and security trade fair held in Paris from November 18 to 21. UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Alice Jill Edwards, emphasized the urgent need for rigorous oversight of security and policing trade fairs to prevent inherently abusive law enforcement equipment from reaching the market.
Edwards identified various dangerous items on display, including direct-contact electric shock devices, kinetic impact projectiles, and multi-barrel launchers, all of which she insists ought to be banned. “Their trade and promotion should be prohibited across all 27 EU Member States and globally,” she stated. Under the EU Anti-Torture Regulation, which was first introduced in 2006 and strengthened in 2019, companies are already banned from promoting or trading certain equipment capable of inflicting torture or ill-treatment.
The UN reported that a range of equipment previously classified as “inherently abusive” was on display at the fair. Offending items included electric shock weapons, spiked anti-riot shields, and ammunition designed to cause unnecessary suffering. These products were marketed by companies from various countries, including Brazil, China, France, and the United States.
Dr. Simon Adams, President and CEO of the Center for Victims of Torture (CVT), the largest organization dedicated to treating survivors of torture, echoed Edwards’ concerns. He highlighted that torturous devices are routinely abused by security forces to commit human rights violations. “Torture is a crime under international law and is illegal everywhere and at all times,” he asserted. Dr. Adams called for an end to the marketing and trade of goods designed solely to inflict suffering.
The European Union has taken steps to strengthen its regulations against the trade in torture equipment. Recent changes include an expanded list of banned items and increased scrutiny over the promotion of abusive technologies. Yet, the recent discoveries at Milipol indicate that more comprehensive measures are necessary.
Edwards noted that, despite swift actions taken by Milipol organizers to remove offending items, including shutting down a stall from a non-compliant state-owned company, the initial presence of such products at the fair highlights a significant regulatory gap. She has called for a global, legally binding Torture-Free Trade Treaty to ensure that abusive equipment does not simply find new markets or victims.
While the EU has been a key partner in the campaign to establish torture-free trade, Edwards stressed that regional action is insufficient to combat this issue effectively. She urged all organizers of security, defense, and policing exhibitions worldwide to implement robust monitoring systems and to cooperate with independent investigations to prevent the sale of harmful equipment.
The ongoing dialogue surrounding torture and human rights violations remains critical. As Edwards stated, “The continued promotion of inherently abusive weapons underscores the urgent need for States to adopt my 2023 report recommendations.” She remains committed to monitoring developments in this area and advocating for stricter regulations on torture-related equipment globally.
The findings from Milipol 2025 serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in the fight against torture and the need for international cooperation to protect human rights across the globe.
