Evidence also suggests that electro-shock devices may produce harmful or even fatal effects, especially in the case of persons suffering from heart disease and neurological disorders or who are under the influence of drugs. Although international standards encourage the development of non-lethal weapons for law enforcement to decrease the risk of death or injury associated with the use of firearms and batons, these standards state that new weapons must be carefully evaluated and controlled. Of additional concern is the export of electro-shock weapons from the United States to other countries where they may be used to commit torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishment. Amnesty International (AI) believes that law enforcement and correctional agencies in the United States should suspend the use of all electro-shock weapons until a rigorous, independent, and impartial inquiry, including thorough medical evaluation, can prove they are safe and will not contribute to deaths in custody or cause torture and other forms of cruel punishment. Further, AI calls for an outright ban on the manufacture, promotion, transfer, and use of the stun belt. Constitutional implications of using the stun belt are addressed, humane alternatives are examined, and allegations of torture with other stun weapons are discussed. An appendix presents data on the findings of a survey of stun belts and other stun equipment in the United States. 92 footnotes, 3 tables, and 4 photographs