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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.


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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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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A review of less lethal weapons manufacturers, trade and misuse
A paper examining the human rights and trade control implication of less lethal weapons
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Action needed now on “remote control” tear gas delivery systems
Omega urges the Chemical Weapons Convention States Parties to address development, proliferation and potential misuse of “wide area” and “remote control” riot control agent (RCA) delivery systems
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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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Tools of torture?
Use of electric shock equipment among African police. A joint briefing by Omega and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS, South Africa). Highlighting misuse of electric shock equipment by law enforcement officials, and policy options to prohibit and prevent torture.
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Compliance through pain
Electric shock equipment in South African prisons. A joint briefing by Omega and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS, South Africa). Examining the misuse of electric shock equipment and recommending the prohibition of body worn electric shock devices.
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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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The Human Rights Impact of Law Enforcement Equipment. April 2015.
Joint Amnesty-Omega report detailing risks associated with less lethal weapons and other law enforcement equipment used in policing and corrections work.
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Submission Concerning LEAs. February 2015.
This submission by Omega Research Foundation responds to an Executive Order (January, 2015) regarding Federal Support for Local Law Enforcement Equipment Acquisition.
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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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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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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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Police use of force and less lethal weaponry. October 2011.
Omega Research Foundation briefing for the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, as part of a European Commission funded 'use of force' project.
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Less Lethal Systems and the Appropriate use of Force. March 2011.
The paper argues that the use of less lethal systems, in comparison with lethal weapons, has not been well regulated and monitored, concluding with proposals.
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Use of less/non lethal items by correctional officials. December 2010.
Submission on the Correctional Matters Amendment Bill [B41-2101] concerning Electro-Shock Devices, Teargas, Batons, Leg-Cuffs and Belly-Chains.
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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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Guinea: "You Did Not Want the Military, So Now We are Going To Teach You a Lesson, February 2010
The events of 28 September 2009 and their aftermath
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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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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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