December 10, 1999

LONDON (AP) - Amnesty International on Friday called for an inquiry into police action during demonstrations in Seattle against the World Trade Organization.

The international human rights group said in a statement that it was concerned about allegations of indiscriminate use of tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets and noisemakers.

The group also called for an investigation into allegations of cruel treatment at Seattle's King County Jail of some of the hundreds of arrested protesters. It said some of the alleged incidents, such as the use of restraint chairs and beatings, appeared to have violated international human rights standards.

"One person was slammed against a wall, beaten while lying on the floor and had his fingers forced back with a pencil," the group said, without citing sources.

"Also at King County Jail, people were allegedly strapped into four-point restraint chairs as punishment for nonviolent resistance or asking for their lawyers," the statement read.

During the WTO meeting, protests included widespread vandalism and looting by a few dozen people among the tens of thousands that crowded downtown streets. The violence resulted in deployment of the National Guard, a curfew and more than 500 arrests.

Seattle's Police Chief Norm Stamper resigned amid criticism following the massive protests.