Say Anything Blog

With the eyes of the world focused on the upcoming Olympics in China, the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security is worried about the potential negative publicity the U.S. could receive if the Chinese government uses U.S. made security devices to break up potential protests over Tibetan independence.

The department is currently reviewing the security devices that are allowed to be exported to China. One of concern is the Long-Range Acoustic Device (LRAD). The device, manufactured by American Technology Corp., sends out concentrated, 150 decibel [dB] high-energy acoustic waves that are painfully loud and can cause serious injury to the ear.

During fiscal 2007, LRAD orders were shipped to Australia, Singapore, Korea and China. Some U.S. police departments have also purchased it.

Theresa Harris, director of the World Organization for Human Rights U.S.A. summed it up well: “The U.S. Government is obligated under international law and federal statutes to prevent U.S. companies from exporting the tools of torture to police and security agencies that have a documented record of human rights violations.”

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,558205,00.html
With Olympics Approaching: US Reconsiders Sonic Blasters for China - International - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News