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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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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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Response to the Working Group on Mercenaries call for submissions
The evolving forms, trends and manifestations of mercenaries and mercenary-related activities
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Submission to OHCHR on the Use of Less Lethal Weapons during Assemblies
Examines the the human rights impact of the use of LLW and ammunition in the context of assemblies
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Private military and security companies: training and equipment
Submission to the UN IGWG on private military and security companies
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Contemporary development, promotion and use of remote control chemical irritant delivery mechanisms:
Paper examining the challenges of effective state control of the trade in chemical irritants
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Monitoring Weapons and Restraints in Places of Detention: A Practical Guide.
A Practical Guide and Pocket Book for Detention Monitors, Torture Prevention Bodies and other interested parties to assist in monitoring weapons and restraints in places of detention.
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Preventing the Trade in Tools of Torture and Execution
Visualisation setting out how trade controls form an important element in the fight against torture and can help states comply with human rights obligations, including the Nelson Mandela Rules
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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, Revised June 2018
Revised Omega report seeking to encourage and inform a process undertaken by the Council of Europe to develop rules targeting the trade in security equipment that could be used to facilitate torture
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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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Why the EU Should Ban the Commercial Marketing of Inhumane Policing and Prison Equipment
This report details how legal loopholes have allowed potential tools of torture to be advertised and sometimes displayed at trade fairs within the EU
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Tear Gassing by Remote Control. December 2015.
This report, concerned with breaches of the CWC, was produced jointly by Bradford Non-Lethal Weapons Research Project and Omega for the Remote Control Project.
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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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Submission to the UN Committee Against Torture. April/May 2015.
Submission in advance of the 54th Session, detailing equipment and practices "of concern" in Bahrain, China, Hong Kong, Macau, and New Zealand.
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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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Regulation of agent delivery mechanisms under the CWC. April 2013.
"Regulation of “wide area” riot control agent delivery mechanisms under the CWC" is part of an on-going project with Bradford Non-Lethal Weapons Research Project.
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Christof Heyns on the use of lethal force during arrest. November 2011.
Briefing on the forthcoming (2011) report from the Special Rapporteur of the Human Rights Council on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions into the use of lethal force during arrest.
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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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Police and Security Equipment in South Africa. June 2010.
World Cup Special Issue guide for journalists and researchers to aid in the identification of security and policing equipment used by South African police forces.
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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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"Less than Lethal"? The Use of Stun Weapons in US Law Enforcement. December 2008
Amnesty International report focusing on the US' use and misuse of electroshock equipment (AI Index: AMR 51/010/2008).
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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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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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