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Omega's publications provide researchers, policy makers and the media with information, data and policy recommendations which are independent and rigorously researched using open sources.

We work with an international network of partners and associates to disseminate our findings.

Omega's research, policy expertise and images have been used in a wide variety of reports, policy briefings and campaign materials by national, regional and international organisations including Amnesty International, the UN and the European Commission.

Omega's publications - and a selection of publications we have contributed to - can be can be found below for download. If you download a resource, please link to it from your website or share with your professional network.

Please contact us (info@omegaresearchfoundation.org) if you have any questions about our resources.


"My Eye Exploded": the Global Abuse of Kinetic Impact Projectiles
Published jointly with Amnesty International, based on research in more than 30 countries over the last five years. Available in English and Arabic.
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Brazil: Technical Memorandum on the Regulation of the Use of Force in the Prison and Socioeducational Systems
Human rights-based analysis of existing use of force protocols. Available in Portuguese.
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The manufacture, trade and regulation of law enforcement and security equipment in Brazil
New report examining the manufacture, trade, and use of law enforcement weapons and equipment in Brazil. Available in English and Portuguese.
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Ending the Torture Trade: The path to global controls on the 'tools of torture'
Omega-Amnesty report released ahead of ahead of a high-level UN meeting on the ‘torture trade’
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Review of EU Anti-Torture Regulation and its implementation
Findings and recommendations from Omega's review of the EU Anti-Torture Regulation
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Lowering the risk - Curtailing the use of chemical irritants during the COVID-19 pandemic
Position paper setting out the increased risk of using chemical irritants during the pandemic.
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Combating Torture: The Need for Comprehensive Regulation of Law Enforcement Equipment
Joint Omega / Amnesty International briefing launched at the first Ministerial meeting of the global Alliance for Torture-Free Trade at UN HQ in New York in September 2018
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Manufacture, trade and use of ‘tools of torture’ in the Council of Europe
Report seeking to inform the process undertaken by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to develop rules targeting the trade in security equipment that could be used to facilitate torture.
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China North Industries Corporation - Working Paper 2. April 2017.
Following on from our previous Working Paper with the International Peace Information Service (October 2014) this paper focuses our attention upon one Member Unit of China North Industries Group Corporate, namely China North Industries Corporation (Norinco).
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UN: Time to rein in the global trade in tools of torture
Panel event organised by Omega and Amnesty International at the Human Rights Council on 3rd March 2017 urging governments to close loopholes in international trade law that allow the trade in equipment used to torture detainees. The original presentations are included.
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Impact of Arms Transfers on Human Rights
Response to OHCHR questionnaire to inform the report on the impact of arms transfers on human rights
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EU: Time to eradicate the torture trade
Press release urging the European Parliament to vote in favour of strengthening the European Union’s regulation combatting the trade in equipment that can be used to torture, ill-treat or execute people.
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Tools of Torture and Repression in South America: Use, manufacture and trade. July 2016
Available in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Countries researched: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela.
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Chinese riot control agent means of delivery. November 2015.
This paper focuses on the production and promotion by Chinese companies of a range of riot control agents, and how their delivery risks breaching international law.
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Guidelines for Implementation of UNBPUFF. August 2015.
An Amnesty International (Dutch Section) report on guidelines for implementation of the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials.
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Body-Worn Electric Shock Equipment. May 2015.
Poster submitted to the 8th European Symposium on Non-Lethal Weapons, Ettlingen, Germany. The poster addresses concerns about their use, providing recommendations to states.
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Floating Armouries: Implications and Risks. December 2014.
Examining floating armouries off the Gulf of Aden, the report concludes that there is a worrying lack of regulation regarding the operation and use of floating armouries.
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China North Industries Group Corporate (CNGC). October 2014.
This working paper attempts to unpick the structure of China North Industries Group Corporation (CNGC), one of China’s largest state-owned companies.
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China's Trade in Tools of Torture and Repression. September 2014.
This report documents China’s manufacture of and trade in law enforcement equipment, and considers some examples of how this equipment is used in China and abroad.
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The need to include ammunition in the ATT. March 2013.
This joint PRIO-Omega, argues that ammunition offers specific opportunities to meet the Treaty's principles, goals and objectives, particularly in terms of preventing atrocities.
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Standards for appropriate selection and use. June 2012.
Slide presentation on standards for appropriate selection and use of less lethal technologies, giving an overview of the “use of force” project and its focus.
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Arms for Internal Security: Will they be covered by an Arms Trade Treaty? June 2011.
An Amnesty International report looking at proposals to extend the scope of the Arms Trade Treaty.
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EU ban on the trade in 'tools of torture'. March 2010.
Amnesty-Omega techincal report seeking to facilitate and inform an EU-led process currently assessing the implementation and effectiveness of EU Regulation 1236/2005.
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The Arms trade Treaty and Military Equipment: The Case for A Comprhensive Scope. July 2009
A review of the proposed scope of the Arms Trade Treaty as of July 2009.
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Blood at the Crossroads. September 2008
An Amnesty International report making the case for a global arms trade treaty. AI Index: ACT 30/015/2008
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Effective laws to control arms in Ireland. Sept 2007.
"Controlling a Deadly Trade" provides recommendations for effective laws in Ireland, arguing that current controls lack transparency and accountability, particularly in terms of "dual-use" goods.
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Indian Helicopters for Myanmar: Making a Mockery of Embargoes? July 2007.
A joint report by European NGOs concerned with the sale of Indian helicopters which contain components made in the EU being sold to Myanmar.
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Controlling the supply of "tools of torture". June 2007.
This article argues that China not only routinely uses torture equipment, but is also a key exporter of such equipment to other countries. It provides recommendations for domestic and regional controls.
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Globalised trade needs global controls. Oct 2006.
Control Arms argues that changing patterns of ownership and production makes national regulations insufficient in preventing arms from reaching the wrong hands.
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Sustaining conflict and human rights abuses. June 2006.
Amnesty report providing evidence of China's transfers of military, security and police equipment which have been used persistently and systematically for violations.
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Japan's Hidden Arms Trade. March 2005.
This paper questions the extent to which Japan's long-held arms export ban (now lifted) has been adhered to, highlighting inconsistencies and loopholes. It argues for more transparency.
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Claws of the Celtic Tiger: Irish Manufacture of Military & Security Equipment and Dual Use Components
Published by Amnesty International's Irish Section as an appendix to the "Undermining Global Security" report.
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Undermining Global Security: The European Union's Arms Exports. February 2004
An Amnesty International report analysing the European Union's arms exports (AI Index: ACT 30/003/2004).
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The Pain Merchants. December 2003.
This report shows why the manufacture, use and transfer of security and police technologies needs to be strictly regulated by governments using common criteria.
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Stopping the Torture Trade. January 2001.
Amnesty report examining the trade in tools of torture as well as the growing trade in so-called "non-lethal" weapons, focusing on restraints, chemicals, shocking weapons, and torture skills.
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An appraisal of technologies for political control. January 1998.
"An assessment of crowd control technology options for the European Union” grew out of a 1997 Science and Technology Options Assessment report in 1997.
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