UN Report States Countries are Using Private Security Firms as Mercenaries

A report from a United Nations organization expresses concern over the continuing and growing use of armed private security guards in armed conflict zones, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, as mercenaries.

Geneva: A report that is about to be released by the United Nations Working Group on the use of mercenaries, states that there are a number of private security companies currently operating armed conflict zones as mercenaries. This is the Working Group's second annual report and it is to be presented to the UN General Assembly on November 7, 2007. The report claims that there has been a significant increase in the number of private security companies operating in conflict-ridden areas, notably in Afghanistan and Iraq. The private security guards are heavily armed but as the Group notes are neither civilians nor combatants. This is a new form of mercenary that the Working Group says is similar to another unclear concept, irregular combatants. The Working Group is issuing a warning that that States that employ these services may be responsible for violations of internationally recognized human rights committed by the personnel of such companies The violations are furthermore attributable to those States if the private military and private security companies are empowered to exercise elements of governmental authority or are acting under governmental direction or control. Of major concern to the Working Group is that only 30 States have ratified the International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries. Also of concern, is the lack of regulation at the regional and national levels regarding private military and security companies which operate without oversight and accountability. The Working Group considers that a significant part of that responsibility falls on States from where these transnational companies export military and security services. As a measure to reduce the use of these personnel, the Working Group is urging the exporting States to avoid granting immunity to these companies and their personnel.