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News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty
International

AI INDEX: AMR 51/142/2003 26 November 2003

USA: Allegations of excessive use of force and ill-treatment of
protestors in Miami


Amnesty International called today for a full and independent inquiry
into allegations of excessive use of force by police during
demonstrations in Miami on 20th November. The organization has also
received dozens of reports of ill-treatment of those detained during the
demonstration.

Police are reported to have fired rubber bullets and used batons, pepper
spray, tear gas canisters and concussion grenades on crowds
demonstrating against the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA)
negotiations, leaving some people hospitalized and dozens more treated
for injuries. Scores of people, including journalists and observers,
were arrested during the demonstration, some reportedly subjected to
ill-treatment in detention. Amnesty International is currently gathering
more information on the reported violations.

"The level of force used by police does not appear to have been at all
justified." Amnesty International said, noting reports that only a small
minority of demonstrators had engaged in acts of violence.

Miami Police Chief John Timoney today issued a letter to the media
stating that his department would be undertaking a comprehensive review
of the FTAA security operation and would produce a public report. "Any
investigation into the violence in Miami must be fully independent and
must also look into allegations of ill-treatment following arrest. If
the force used is shown to have been excessive, then those involved
should be disciplined, measures put in place and training given to
ensure future policing operations in Miami conform to international
standards.", Amnesty International stressed.

Amnesty International is investigating reports that some of those
arrested during the demonstrations have been subjected to ill-treatment
while in detention. One woman is reported to have been strip-searched by
four male officers and left naked. Other reports suggest that detainees
have been beaten and sprayed with pepper gas and high-powered water
hoses inside Dade County Jail.

"If these allegations are true, Amnesty International would call on
anyone found responsible to be brought to account in accordance with
international standards" Most of those arrested are reported to have
since been released, but Amnesty International is seeking information as
to the legal status of any still held.

An event organized by the Miami chapter of Amnesty International during
the demonstration was also hindered by police who surrounded the area
and refused people access.


Background

Thousands of people took part in the demonstrations organized during the
Free Trade Area of the Americas negotiations in Miami on 20 and 21
November. Around 250 people were detained, most released on misdemeanour
charges including "disobeying" police orders to disperse, unlawful
assembly and resisting arrest.

Amnesty International is advocating for regulations requiring all
weapons that launch kinetic impact devices (objects which hit people) to
be treated for practical purposes as firearms, and therefore to be used
only by trained firearms officers and then strictly in accordance with
the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law
Enforcement Officers, which state, inter alia, that "Law enforcement
officials shall not use firearms against persons except in self-defence
or defence of others against the imminent threat of death or serious
injury".


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