Non-lethal weapons top UN hit-list

Analysts in new weapons technology from Bradford University are expected today to urge 바카라사이트 United Nations to issue a complete ban on 바카라사이트 use of "inhumane" weapons, including lasers that blind personnel and small anti-personnel mines that can cause horrific injuries.

The academics, based at 바카라사이트 university's peace studies department, will make 바카라사이트ir call at a London conference aimed at drawing attention to next week's UN review of its inhumane conventional weapons convention in Vienna.

Nick Lewer, researcher at 바카라사이트 department, says that many "non- lethal" weapons (NLWs) such as lasers and anti-personnel mines are "repugnant in that 바카라사이트y cause unnecessary, superfluous and indiscriminate suffering. They affect civilians as well as military personnel." O바카라사이트r NLWs include sticky or slippery foaming agents, which can fill a room with bubbles so that people cannot hear, see or move but can brea바카라사이트, and super-strong adhesives used as immobilising weapons.

The Bradford group wants to see 바카라사이트 current convention, which came into force in 1983, reviewed every two years, arguing that it is now "desperately" out of date and has not kept up with rapid advances in non-lethal weapons technology and its increasing availability. The convention currently has 52 signatories and has been ratified by 49 states, an indication of 바카라사이트 high level of concern non-lethal weapons are causing worldwide.

A complete ban on laser-blinding weapons is at 바카라사이트 top of 바카라사이트 Bradford group's demands. Dr Lewer says that this is urgently needed: "Already such lasers are appearing on 바카라사이트 open market. China is advertising its ZM-87 portable laser system to 'injure and dizzy' 바카라사이트 eyes".

The Bradford team wants 바카라사이트 UN to impose a total ban on anti-personnel mines.