Hired guns walk uneasy legal path

[leftchick]

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_23-7-2005_pg4_14

PRIVATE military contractors in Iraq and parts of Africa must obey international humanitarian law just like regular soldiers, the Red Cross says, but analysts warn enforcement may be difficult.

Thousands of former soldiers have joined the Private Military Companies (PMCs) that have sprung up to fill the void left by Western troops stretched to the limit in Iraq and Afghanistan. But their legal status is hazy.

“Are they combatants or are they civilians?” asked International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) legal advisor Emanuela-Chiara Gillard at a recent conference in South Africa on private military firms and ethics.

Whatever the answer, she said private contractors had a duty to obey international humanitarian and human rights law as they could be charged with abuses such as murder, torture and genocide the same as anybody else.

With private contractors manning checkpoints, interrogating prisoners and guarding installations in Iraq and Afghanistan, firms had to train employees - including those with a military background - properly, she said.

[rzemanfl]

1. I think most of them are looking for a good tax man and don't

give a shit who they might kill or maim.

[bullimiami]

2. so if there are illegal combatants. these fit the bill right?

so if they are captured, tortured, whatever. its ok because the geneva conventions dont apply to them.

thats how it smells in bushworld.