Human rights group slam latest Taser death
Irelandclick
By Ciarán Barnes
22/01/2008
A man has died in England after he was zapped by a weapon cops will soon be carrying on the streets of West Belfast.
The man was hit by a cop with a 50,000-volt Taser gun in Bedford on Saturday.
The victim, who was in his 30s, died after the incident.
The PSNI will be armed with Tasers within two weeks time.
Initially only 12 will be in use, however this is expected to increase over the year.
Following the weekend Taser death, PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde is facing calls to scrap plans to introduce the weapon in the North.
Relatives For Justice’s Clara Reilly said Tasers have already claimed more than 70 lives in the US and Britain, and will claim more lives in the North when introduced.
“Tasers have no place in a society emerging from violent conflict,” said Clara.
“They have no place in a transitional society that hopes to promote the highest of human rights standards.
“They have no role in any society that values and cherishes human lives,” added the human rights activist.
“There must be a halt to the proposed deployment of Tasers here.
“There must be an immediate freezing of the proposed Tasers pilot scheme and full independent assessment of any learning which emerges after this killing in Bedford,” added Clara.
