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facebook.org/waronwant @waronwant Preface 01

In the 15 years since the declaration previously an exception. It is now becoming of a ‘war on terror’ and the invasions the norm, as states and companies seek to of first and then , the evade responsibility for the use of violent and world has witnessed an enormous often deadly force. The industry will continue proliferation of private military and to grow unchecked unless it is brought security companies (PMSCs) seeking under control. to profit from instability and conflict. Hundreds of companies have been Voluntary codes like the 2010 International established in the past few years alone, Code of Conduct for Private Security and there now exists a vast private Service Providers (ICoC) are not the answer industry worth hundreds of billions to the culture of impunity that PMSCs of dollars.1 Sadly, rather than enjoy. Such codes are used by companies introducing binding regulation of the to legitimise existing industry practice and industry, the British government has to block the introduction of legally binding decided to allow the mercenaries to regulation. The UN Human Rights Council regulate themselves. has been developing a binding convention for the regulation of PMSCs at the international In 2006, three years after the invasion of Iraq, level, and Switzerland has introduced new War on Want published a groundbreaking legislation banning all Swiss-based PMSCs report on corporate mercenaries, from operating in conflict zones. The UK documenting the increasingly central role government, by contrast, has consistently of PMSCs in the continuing occupation. backed standards for the PMSC industry The report linked the rise of PMSCs with that are based on self-regulation, not increasing human rights abuses, a flourishing public accountability. weapons trade and political destabilisation. At that time, with the companies operating in a War on Want believes that the privatisation complete legal vacuum, we made an urgent of war must end, and that PMSCs must be appeal for a ban on PMSCs in conflict zones, banned altogether from operating in conflict strict public scrutiny requirements and an end zones. Voluntary self-regulation for this lethal to the revolving door between senior defence industry is unacceptable. National regulation, and security officials and the industry. alongside legally binding international mechanisms, is long overdue. This briefing provides an update on the mercenary industry, detailing the latest developments in the murky world of these ‘guns for hire’. UK companies continue to dominate the industry, and can be found at the forefront both in the conflict zones of the ‘war on terror’ and in the expansion to Africa and the high seas. The use of private John Hilary armies by governments and corporations was Executive Director 02 Mercenaries Unleashed: The brave new world of private military and security companies 1 teams. andmarketingcomplete withPRdepartments each year from theindustry, andcome hundreds ofmillionspounds inprofit Control RisksandOlive Group make ofGardaWorld), (now part Defence Services (which acquired ArmorGroup in2008), Aegis and aglobalfootprint. Companieslike G4S corporate entities, withcomplexstructures The leadingBritishPMSCsare sprawling of ‘threats’. and corporatepresence against arange globe, working tosecure government operating inareas ofconflictaround the there are hundreds ofBritishPMSCs companies operatedinIraq. the occupation, around 60British PMSC industry. At theheightof hubfor the The UKisanimportant UK: mercenarykingpin “If youwantpeace,prepareforwar.” ContractorsatPMSCtrainingcamp,April2015 The result hasbeenaproliferation 2 Now Now a lottoofferhopesoanyway.” –Icertainly world ofbusiness, peoplehave ex-military got Armoured BrigadeCommander, said: “In the CEO of andformer Aegis Defence Services personnel inkey posts. As GrahamBinns, and thelargercorporationshave ex-military consist entirelypersonnel, ofex-military Special Forces. companies employ former membersof the UK oftheSAS,the headquarters whileatleast46 14 companiesare basedinHereford, closeto sectors closely intertwined. Nofewer than corporate worlds, withtheinterests ofthese door between PMSCs, military, intelligenceand isarevolving oftheindustry At theheart ‘high-risk andcomplexenvironments’. solutions’, provided to ‘clients’ operatingin ‘risk managementconsultancy’and ‘security of euphemisticbranding: thisisaneraof 3 Many ofthesmallerPMSCs

4 ©Getty Images / Janek Skarzynski Skarzynski Janek / Images ©Getty 03

Examples of former military personnel in key posts within PMSCs include:

• Olive Group’s executive board an ex-SAS officer, while its Iraq is made up of ex-British military operations are headed by David personnel – including the co- Amos, an ex-officer in the British Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Army, who now leads more than all three Vice Presidents and the 1,200 people with 340 armoured Director for Crisis Response.5 vehicles in sites across the country. Eddie Everett, formerly • 3e Global employs a team “drawn of the Special Forces, manages from Government, Intelligence and the company’s Global Client Specialist Military backgrounds. All Services, while Jim Brooks is of whom have trained and operated CEO of its American arm. Brooks to the highest echelons within the is ex-CIA, and worked for the UK and worldwide.” The company Agency supporting its worldwide offers a range of services, including paramilitary operations, and as “covert technical surveillance” for a Navy SEAL advisor to Latin corporations to “monitor staff or American security services.7 employees” and “identify the source of information leaks or internal • Aegis Defence Services boasts issues”.6 Nicholas Soames, former UK government Minister for the Armed • Control Risks has many key Forces, as its Chairman and Graham management posts filled by Binns, a former Commander ex-members of the military and of the 7th Armoured Brigade intelligence services. The company’s and Commandant of the Joint Middle East operations are overseen Services Command and Staff by Andreas Carleton-Smith, College, as CEO.8

At the heart of the industry is a revolving door between PMSCs, military, intelligence and corporate worlds, with the interests of these sectors closely intertwined. 04 Mercenaries Unleashed: The brave new world of private military and security companies 2 Iraq programme. under theOfficeofSecurityCooperation’s training andequippingIraqisecurityforces tothePentagon’sservices programme for providingcontract from theUSmilitary example, isoneofseveral PMSCsunder key players. Aegis Defence Services, for outsourced, withUKcompaniesremaining preserve oftheoccupying armedforces were Security operationswhichwere oncethe down, PMSCroles there expandedinscope. by USandUKtroopsthe country wound occupationof As thelarge-scalemilitary up large contracts. Control RisksandOlive Group snapped ArmorGroup (now ofG4S), asubsidiary UK firmslike AegisDefence Services, zones withacombined valueofaround has awarded contractstoPMSCsinconflict The UK’s Foreign andCommonwealth Office ofUKPMSCsinIraq.the services the only players thatcontinue topay for The USandIraqigovernments are not provide trainingfor Iraqiintelligenceunits. a ‘ring ofsteel’around thecityandto security forces, wascontractedtoestablish thehandoverand latersupervised toIraqi Graham BinnsledtheattackonBasrain2003 Defence Services, whosechiefexecutive replace theBritishtroops whohave left. Aegis been hired by thegovernor ofBasrato resulting unrest. with theoccupationofIraqand tookoff The BritishPMSCindustry volume ofbusinessonthebackIraq.” exploded intermsofthe industry being pumpedintotheindustry. and millionsofdollarscontracts ridiculous amountsofmoney –millions meant contractswere beingletfor 2004 money wasbasically free. That clear: made has “In Iraqin2003and Security Companies, Andy Bearpark, of theBritish Association ofPrivate Iraq: mercenaryincubator 10

The company hasalso The Director General The The 11

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to investinthecountry. private corporationsseeking the provisionofsecurityfor for BritishPMSCsinIraqis Perhaps thebiggestmarket operations inIraq. between 2007and2012awarded for nearly £150millioninthefive years £50 millioneachyear. secure theiroperations. country, and are willingtopay PMSCstohelp refine oilandgasfrom andexport the multinationals have signeddealstoproduce, Dutch Shell, BP, ExxonMobilandother of multinational corporationsinIraq. Royal The oilandgassectoristhecentralfocus team alsoprovides for intelligenceservices providers”.oil service The dedicatedIraq for internationaloilcompaniesaswell as onmajoroilfields Static SecurityServices Control andInformation, Mobile, and includingCommand,“a fullsecurityservice gas sectorfor over two years”, providing oftheoiland been operatinginsupport area ofbusinessisIraq”, andthatit “has boaststhatthecompany’sServices “largest the tidegoes outatthebeach...” occupation budget]. It’s going tobelike when [i.e.that isnotOCA-funded from theUS it inlate2012: “Everyone islookingfor work has emptied. executiveAs oneindustry put that thePentagon’s warchestinthecountry critical totheprivatesecuritysectornow in thecountry. for privatecorporationsseekingtoinvest PMSCs inIraqistheprovision ofsecurity Perhaps thebiggestmarket for British Such contractshave become 12 This includes 14

Aegis Defence 13

PMSC contractors at scene of bomb attack in

05 © Reuters/Ceerwan Aziz ©

drawing up “personality profiles”, identifying ex-serviceman Danny Fitzsimons, who shot “legal and regulatory obstacles” and reaching dead two other private security contractors “into the very heart of the Iraqi political in Iraq in 2009 and was sentenced to 20 and commercial establishment”.15 Likewise, years’ imprisonment for their murder.17 Control Risks has seen huge increases to Despite this, G4S announced in September its operating profits, largely due to “higher 2015 that it had secured a new contract workload in the Middle East and a gush of worth up to $270 million to provide security contracts in Iraq.”16 services to the Basra Gas Company. At the same time, the company successfully renewed UK multinational G4S is the world’s largest its contract to provide security services to private security company. Its 2008 acquisition the British embassy in Afghanistan, to the of the UK’s biggest mercenary company, value of £100 million over five years.18 G4S is ArmorGroup, granted G4S access to the the target of an international campaign over private military and security market in Iraq, as its complicity in the Israeli oppression of the ArmorGroup had previously won a number Palestinian people, as it provides equipment of significant contracts in the country. G4S and services to prisons and detention centres was subsequently found by a coroner’s where Palestinian political prisoners are held, inquiry to have failed in its duty to conduct a and to military checkpoints along the illegal proper vetting process in its employment of Apartheid Wall. 06 © AP/Press Association Images/Jerome Delay Mercenaries Unleashed: The brave new world of private military and security companies 3 such thatinhigh-riskenvironments theneed across Africa. the company, high “Demand hasbeenvery Andy Baker, headof African operationsfor around £500millionin Africa. markets business”, withannual turnover of over athird ofitsprofits inthe “emerging environments”. security for multinationalshigh-risk invery Republic, where itprovides “protective Republic ofCongo andCentral African rich Angola, Niger, Nigeria, theDemocratic in 18 African states, includingresource- claimsithasexperience Defence Services now operateacross thecontinent. Aegis for thesecompanies. Africa, isleadingtoincreased opportunities the world, andwestern suchasnorthern instability inotherresource-rich regions of longstanding markets for BritishPMSCs, While Iraqand Afghanistan remain Emerging markets: Africa Nigeria isusingPMSCmercenariesagainstBoko Haram The nature ofourbusinessis 19 G4S, meanwhile, makes All majorUKPMSCs According to the naturalresources sector. AngloGold Ashanti, isknown tobetargeting clients includeRoyal DutchShelland ‘pan-African securitydeals’, andG4S, whose have approached thecompany for increases.”for ourservices Multinationals PMSCs intothecountry, spearheadingthe in in2011ledtoarapid influx of The topplingofMuammarGaddafi’s regime secure aminesitethathadbeen overrun. forces inanunnamed West African stateto achievements working alongsidegovernment in Hereford, andlistsamongitspast Ltd, isbasedalongsidetheSASheadquarters based PMSC, SpecialProjects andServices damage from localunrest. OnesuchUK- looking tosecure theirassetsagainstlossor continent, oftenfor extractive corporations Smaller PMSCsalsooperatethroughout the 20

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arrival of multinationals keen to restore military personnel including former their involvement in Libya’s oil and gas members of Special Forces and military sector. As one PMSC executive put it: “We’re intelligence, operates throughout West there to facilitate the re-entry of clients in and East Africa, and also has a significant Libya.”22 Security companies have also seen contract for “an international oil and an opportunity for training post-Gaddafi gas company re-establishing operations security forces and, compared to the former in Libya.”28 regime, Intelligence Online noted that “Libya’s new leadership is showing greater openness toward foreign private security companies.”23 Just days after Gaddafi’s Again, British companies are leading the way. Just days after Gaddafi’s death, the UK death, the UK company company Trango Special Projects was touting for business among prospective investors: Trango Special Projects “Whilst speculation continues regarding Qaddafi’s killing,” it said on its website, was touting for “are you and your business ready to return to Libya?” At the same time, one online business among forum for security recruitment, the Security Contracting Network, was emphasising prospective investors. opportunities in the country: “There will be an uptick of activity as foreign oil companies scramble to get back to Libya. Keep an eye on PMSCs from several countries are now who wins related contracts, follow the money, being contracted to take up active combat and find your next job.”24 roles in ongoing wars within African and Middle Eastern states. The Nigerian army Other UK PMSCs operating in Libya include has secured the services of South African Control Risks, Olive Group, AKE and Blue mercenary troops from the apartheid era to Mountain, a company whose name is derived fight the militant Islamist group Boko Haram from a poem inscribed on a clock tower in the north of the country, while hundreds at the headquarters of the SAS.25 SNE of Colombian mercenaries recruited by Special Projects, another UK company, is the infamous US PMSC Blackwater (now run by Jason Woods, an ex-soldier with renamed Academi) have been fighting the Parachute Regiment who has acted as alongside Saudi Arabian forces in Yemen.29 a ‘security consultant’ for Control Risks According to its former director, Nick Group, specialising in the Nigerian oil Buckles, G4S has also benefited from the and gas industry.26 SNE claims that it was unrest in North Africa and the Middle East, “one of the first security companies to “with particularly strong growth in Egypt, establish a permanent presence in Libya Yemen and Bahrain.”30 G4S was involved in post-revolution”, and that it “specialises in the evacuation of high-ranking government supporting oil and gas companies in hostile officials, multinational employees and and remote environments around the embassy staff during the 2011 uprising in world, particularly in North Africa with Egypt, and saw its revenues in that country ongoing operations in Libya, Egypt and double to approximately £8 million between Algeria.”27 SicuroGroup, run by ex-British 2007 and 2011.31 08 Mercenaries Unleashed: The brave new world of private military and security companies 4 equipped withahelicopteranddrones. 40privatemarinesand capable ofcarrying built aprivatenavy ofthree largeboats, each equipment. Indeed, onesuchcompany has personnel, grade military and carry filled withex-Navy andex-Special Forces Many maritimesecuritycompanies are through majorsealanes. corporations seekingtosecure theirassets strategic advice, toarangeofoilandother provides armedguards, aswell astacticaland big commercial opportunity”. The company of tradevessels intheIndianOcean is “a According toG4S, enhancingthesecurity fishermen. sometimes resulting inthedeathsofinnocent indiscriminately atapproaching vessels, significant consequences. PMSCshave shot The militarisationoftheoceansishaving guards onboard UK-registered ships. formally authorisedtheuseofprivatearmed when BritishPrimeMinisterDavid Cameron has only increased sinceOctober2011, Rothrauff acknowledged that those onboard the vessel. Company President Thomas warning ontwo skiffswhichhadapproached armed personnelwere seenfiring without Trident Group Inc. at ashippingconference, leaked afteritwasplayed by theUSPMSC particular typeofsecurityactivity.”particular and they seemtobetheonesdominatingthis something theBritishare good particularly at, cow.... puttingarmedcontractorsonshipsis London, BritishPMSCsare “following thecash Professor ChrisKinsey atKing’s College million peryear andgrowing. 200 PMSCsoperatinginasectorworth$500 alone, SAMIestimatesthere are more than are British. Inthenorth-westIndianOcean (SAMI) Association for theMaritimeIndustry the membercompaniesofSecurity are againattheforefront. Over halfof is booming,industry andBritishcompanies The useofprivatearmiesinthemaritime Militarising theoceans 36 Inonevideotaped incident, 34

This opportunity This opportunity

According to 32

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“ know whoit’s gettingonboard.” process for theseteams. The company doesn’t there. There are noregulations orvetting out Ocean,the WildWest“It’s Indian According toonecaptain working inthe the businessofcountinginjuries,” hesaid. in theskiffremains unknown: “We’re notin extent ofinjuriesandthereal intentofthose were probably killed, althoughtheexact get outofthedangerarea.” illegally anddrop them[overboard] whenyou of peoplethinkit’s easiertobuyweapons all theforms, coastguard licencesetc., alot per weapon todoitlegally, andthenthere’s big African towns anditcostsabout$1,000 you cangetan AK-47 for about$200inmost According toonecontractor: “Given that overboard before reaching theirdestination. such as Yemen, andthendumpthem to buyarmsillegally inwar-torn countries law, andsecuritycompanieshave beenknown ships cancontravene localandinternational The presence ofprivatearmiesonboard “global leader inarmedmaritimesecurity”. Providers (ICoC)andtheself-proclaimed of Conductfor PrivateSecurityService totheInternationalCode a signatory Protection Vessels InternationalLtd(PVI), contractors working for theUKcompany controversy. Oneinstanceconcerns UK PMSCshave notavoided such who it’sgettingonboard.” The companydoesn’tknow process fortheseteams. regulations orvetting out there.Thereareno It’s theWildWest 38 37 39

MNG Resolution, a UK-run floating armoury moored in international waters of the Indian Ocean 09 © Ben Solomon / New York Times

PVI was established in 2008 by senior To avoid such problems in the future, former military personnel, with “the express companies are increasingly exploiting a purpose of applying military standards of legal loophole regarding the use of arms in security… to the commercial arena of the international waters, and are making use of world’s shipping trade routes”, and the team ‘floating armouries’. These armouries are is “drawn from the highest echelons of UK ships harboured at sea, stacked with high- Royal Marines, UK government intelligence powered rifles, ammunition, night-vision and commerce”. The company trumpets its goggles and other military-grade equipment. extensive experience in Special Forces and There are now at least 20 such armouries military intelligence, and armed personnel are dotted throughout the Indian Ocean, and deployed in four-strong teams and “supplied PMSCs either store their equipment on with the latest equipment – from weapons to board these ships or hire weapons from the communications technology”. PVI personnel operating companies. Either way, PMSCs can were arrested by Eritrean officials in 2011 and operate without fear of legal repercussions.41 charged with espionage, sabotage, terrorism and ‘acts of invasion’. They had been using To further ensure that companies are Eritrean territory to stash sniper rifles, pistol uninhibited by regulation, they often register silencers and tracer bullets, in an episode for the ships carrying the armouries in states which the company later apologised.40 with light-touch regulation. Sea Marshals Ltd, 10 © Ben Solomon / New York Times Mercenaries Unleashed: The brave new world of private military and security companies of theIndianOcean On boardtheMNGResolution,aUK-runfloatingarmourymooredininternationalwaters land-locked Mongolia. the RedSea, usingshipsregistered in inthemiddle of operates afloating armoury Sri Lankangovernment, includingassault company offers weapons owned by the private maritimesecuritycompanies”. The supplier ofweapons andassociateditemsto mission tobecome “the mostsoughtafter Company oftheICoC”, anddeclares its AGMS boaststhatitisa “proud Signatory weaponsmilitary toPMSCs. Onitswebsite, Lankan government toprovide arangeofex- has entered intoajointventure withtheSri PMSC, Avant Garde SecurityServices, which (AGMS), ofthelargestSriLankan asubsidiary armouries is Avant Garde MaritimeServices One ofthelargestproviders ofoffshore throughout theIndianOcean. personnel using gradeweapons”“military employing ex-Navy andSpecialForces for example, isaCardiff-based PMSC 43 42 The company officers. consists ofhighrankingSriLankanmilitary equipment, andthe Board Advisory rifles, machinegunsandnight-vision Ocean andGulfof Aden. floating armouriesoperatingintheIndian Innovation andSkillsissued50licencesfor ofBusiness,August 2013theUKDepartment armouries eachmonth. hundreds ofmovements onandoffthe weapons onboard theships, with chairman, there are “thousands” of in afairandtransparent manner”. British companiestocompetefor contracts “determined tofindasolutionthatallows Sri Lankanauthorities”, andthatthey were engaged with “interested parties, includingthe Office wasclearfrom early onthatthey were loophole, theForeign andCommonwealth not allow Britishcompaniestoexploitthis Although initially theUKgovernment did 44 According tothecompany’s 45 47

46 In 5 ICoC: fig leaf for PMSCs 11

The International Code of Conduct standard in September 2015 as an appropriate for Private Security Service Providers basis for certification that individual PMSCs (ICoC) is a voluntary code of conduct meet the principles of the ICoC. launched in 2010 that was developed out of discussions between PMSCs, The ICoCA fails as a credible governments and civil society. Its stated instrument in key areas such as aim is to establish a set of principles for governance, monitoring, redress, the industry based on international law, sanctions, and state responsibility: as well as to improve the accountability of PMSCs by establishing an Governance: The Board includes Major independent oversight mechanism with General Charles Tucker, who has served as responsibility for certification, auditing, a legal expert in various positions in the monitoring and reporting. US military, and Chris Sanderson, Director Government Support for Control Risks since The US government subsequently funded 2005, who served as the first chairman of international security trade association ASIS SCEG, the UK trade association partnered to develop an auditable standard for PMSCs with the British government for regulation operating around the world. The standard, of UK private security providers operating named PSC.1, is based on principles drawn overseas. Because of the dominance of PMSC up with the involvement of the military and military figures in the governance of the establishment and the PMSC industry itself, ICoCA, many civil society organisations have relying on self-regulation and voluntary refused to participate. reporting rather than binding regulations with redress mechanisms and sanctions. Monitoring: Field-based investigations The UK government swiftly adopted the may be initiated by the Executive Director, PSC.1 standard as the applicable standard but the ICoCA Board can decide against for British PMSCs operating overseas, and them. These investigations “shall be aimed at in September 2015 it was published in the improving performance or addressing specific International Standards series as ISO 18788. A compliance concerns”. However, the ICoCA parallel standard has been developed for the Secretariat’s capacity to independently maritime security industry, published in April monitor member companies through field 2015 as ISO 28007-1. visits is extremely limited.

The ICoC Association (ICoCA) was launched Redress: The ICoCA is reliant on the at a conference in Geneva in September 2013, grievance mechanisms of the companies at which point 708 companies had formally themselves. It can only provide advice on signed up to the ICoC. The UK, along with the effectiveness of those mechanisms and Australia, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA, suggest alternative grievance avenues should was a founding member of the ICoCA. The a complainant not feel comfortable lodging disparity between civil society and industry a complaint through the member company’s involvement in the initiative was glaring: 13 grievance mechanism. The ICoCA is not civil society organisations joined the ICoCA empowered to decide on a complaint or as founding members compared with 135 to award any reparations. In practice this PMSCs, meaning that the body developed means that the victims of PMSC human rights to regulate PMSCs is dominated by them. violations are unable to seek redress via The ICoCA formally recognised the PSC.1 the ICoCA. 12 Mercenaries Unleashed: The brave new world of private military and security companies Launch ceremony for the ICoCA, Geneva, September2013 Launch ceremonyfortheICoCA, with impunity. companies whichviolatehumanrights the ICoCA, statescancontinue tocontract to usePMSCsthatare under notcertified (3.3.2). Intheabsenceofacommitmentnot intheactivitiesof participate Association” theprinciplesofICoCand to support is for astateto “communicate theirintent State responsibility: Theonly requirement isnot feasible. certification sanction endinginterminationofacompany’s programmes),certification aneffective PMSCs (eitherthrough ornational ICoCA many different processes certification for its principles, andbecausethere are so clear sanctionsfor companiesthatviolate Sanctions: The ICoCA doesnothaveThe ICoCA

matter ofurgency. introduce bindingcontrols onPMSCsasa world, andcallsontheUKgovernment to regulating theactivitiesofPMSCs around the an internationallegally bindingframework Human RightsCouncilinGeneva tocreate initiative undertheauspicesofUN of thisreport, War on Want the supports As describedinthenextandfinalsection binding internationalmechanisms. PMSCs inconflictzones, alongsidelegally including acompletebanontheuseof What isneedednationalregulation, to setthetermsoftheirown operations. actions. Voluntary codesallow corporations leaves tolegitimiseits for thePMSCindustry actasfig It isclearthattheICoCandICoCA © US Mission, Geneva Mission, US © 6 Take action 13

As the number of boots on the ground of of PMSCs in conflict zones. The campaign occupying forces has fallen, public attention was successful in bringing the need for PMSC has turned away from Iraq and Afghanistan accountability to international attention, and and the private armies which gained notoriety in 2010 the UN Human Rights Council in there. Away from the public gaze, the business Geneva debated the first draft of a possible of PMSCs has boomed. From dependency on Convention on Private Military and Security Pentagon contracts, they have found a wealth Companies. The draft has since been reviewed of new and eager clients amongst the private by a dedicated intergovernmental working sector, especially in the extractive industries. group, whose fourth session in April 2015 They have sought out and exploited political discussed revisions to the text in advance of instability in the wake of the Arab uprisings. submitting its analysis of the global situation And they have spread floating armouries to the UN General Assembly in 2016. across the world’s oceans to protect commercial shipping interests. In all of this, There have also been positive moves at the UK companies are playing a leading role, national level. With effect from September reaping enormous profits. 2015, the Swiss government has banned all PMSCs based in Switzerland from operating PMSCs have a track record of profiting from in conflict zones, and has introduced strict war and conflict. Despite facing numerous regulation of all PMSC activity outside its accusations of human rights abuses in conflict borders. The UK government, by contrast, situations around the world, they remain argues that PMSCs are best left to police unaccountable and unregulated. Ten years ago, themselves through voluntary codes. War on Want mounted a campaign calling It’s time to get binding regulation of for binding regulation of this dangerous Private Military and Security Companies industry, including a complete ban on the use back on the UK government’s agenda.

Act now:

1. Write to your MP raising the issue of PMSC accountability and the need for binding regulation at both national and international levels, in place of the self-regulation mechanisms favoured by the UK government up to now.

2. Order more copies of this briefing and other campaign materials for your events, stalls, student unions, union branches, local groups, family and friends at waronwant.org/materials.

3. Get involved with our Stop G4S campaign in order to put pressure on G4S to end its complicity with Israel’s oppression of the Palestinian people; visit waronwant.org/StopG4S for regular updates. © Karel Prinsloo/AP/Press Association Images Mercenaries Unleashed: The brave new world of private military and security companies 15

Notes

1 For competing estimates of the size of the sector, see Lou 15 Iraq Britain Business Council, Aegis membership profile: Pingeot, Dangerous Partnership: private military and security www.webuildiraq.org companies and the UN, Global Policy Forum, June 2012. 16 ‘UK leads the world in private security industry’, Independent, 2 ‘The rise of the UK’s private security companies’, BBC News, 6 January 2012. 2 November 2010. 17 ‘Paul McGuigan murder: Killer “not properly vetted”’, BBC 3 According to the information supplied to ICOC-PSP; there News, 11 May 2015. are almost certainly more companies employing Special Forces that not signed up to ICOC. The 46 PMSCs are: 3rg, 18 ‘G4S wins security contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan’, G4S Actus International Security Ltd, AKE Ltd, Ambrey Risk Ltd, press release, 11 September 2015. Artemis-UK Solutions Ltd, Associated Risks Ltd, Audeamus Security Ltd, Bahari Security Ltd, Blackwall Maritime Ltd, 19 Aegis Defence Services profile on British Expertise: http:// Blue Mountain Group, British Maritime Solutions Ltd, www.britishexpertise.org/bx/pages/Organisation_view/726. Citadel Maritime Ltd, Claymore Security Solutions, Constant php Maritime, Corinthian Protection International, CS:5 Security Ltd, Defensores Ltd, Diligence Security Solutions Limited, 20 ‘G4S says Algeria, Mali unrest raising security demand’, Emergent Risk Solutions LLC, Erus Maritime Security Reuters, 25 January 2013. Services Ltd, Galene Global Maritime Security, Global Sprint Security Ltd, Grunts Security Partnership Ltd, Hadcon Ltd, 21 Special Projects and Services Ltd crisis management study, Kingdom Securities Ltd, Maritime Security Solutions Ltd, Miris see http://www.sps-global.com/2011/cases/Crisis%20 International Ltd, Nemesis Security LLC, Neptune Maritime Management%20case%20study.pdf Security Ltd, OBS24 Security Ltd, Ocean Protection Services, Oceanic Maritime Organisation, Optima Defence and 22 Oliver Westmacott, President of GardaWorld, quoted in Security Ltd, PGS Group, QuinSec, Ronin Concepts Security ‘As War Winds Down in Libya, Enter the Consultants’, Elite Ltd, Sea Hawk Maritime Risk Management, Secure a Bloomberg Business, 21 September 2011. Ship, Shadow Security Solutions Ltd, Solace Global Maritime, Spartent Global Solutions, Specialist Security Services and 23 ‘Private guards replace military in Libya’, Intelligence Online, 8 Solutions International, Specialized Global Services Ltd, Stent December 2011. (International) Ltd, Stonehill Global, Veritas International Consultancy Ltd. 24 ‘Western companies see prospects for business in Libya’, New York Times, 28 October 2011. 4 ‘The rise of the UK’s private security companies’, BBC News, 2 November 2010. 25 ‘Security firms hustle in lawless Libya’, UPI, 9 December 2011. For the origins of Blue Mountain’s name and motto, 5 Olive Group website, Executive Leadership Team: see http://www.bluemountaingroup.co.uk/about/ olivegroup.com 26 Jason Woods’ LinkedIn account: http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/ 6 3e International Covert Technical Surveillance: 3e-intl.com jason-woods/14/984/505

7 Control Risks website, Senior Management section: 27 SNE Special projects, Oil and Gas section. http:// controlrisks.com snespecialprojects.com/sectors/oil-gas/

8 Aegis official website, key personalities section: 28 Sicuro website, Libya - IVMS section. http://www. aegisworld.com sicurogroup.com/Project-2.html

9 ‘The rise of the UK’s private security companies’, BBC News, 29 ‘Nigeria hires S African mercenaries again to battle 2 November 2010. Boko Haram’, This Day Live, 23 October 2015; ‘Dogs of War: British mercenary reported killed in Yemen’, RT, 11 10 Iraq Britain Business Council, Aegis membership profile: December 2015. www.webuildiraq.org 30 R Neate, ‘G4S spots great opportunities for security work in 11 ‘Basra invites British back for security role’, Daily Telegraph, 3 the new Libya’, Guardian, 23 August 2011. January 2014. 31 A T Meuse, ‘Revolution opens doors for security companies’, 12 Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Freedom of Information American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, July 2011. Act 2000 Request, Ref 0669-12, 6 September 2012. 32 ‘The UK firms who tackle Somali pirates’, BBC News, 24 13 ‘As Iraq, Afghan wars end, private security firms adapt’, March 2012. Reuters, 21 October 2012. 33 James Brown, ‘Pirates and Privateers: Managing the Indian 14 ‘Western oil firms remain as US exits Iraq’, Al Jazeera, 7 Ocean’s private security boom’, Lowry Institute for January 2012. International Policy, 12 September 2012.

16 Mercenaries Unleashed: The brave new world of private military and security companies 36 35 34 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 ‘UK gives goaheadfor floating armouries’, Lloyd’s List,8 website: Avant Services GardeMaritime avantmaritime.com armouries’, use floating fighters SeattleTimes,‘Piracy 22   August 2013. March 2012. waters’, Guardian, 2013. 10January over fears shipsladenwithweapons‘Piracy ininternational waters’, Guardian, 2013. 10January over fears shipsladenwithweapons‘Piracy ininternational waters’, Guardian, 2013. 10January over fears shipsladenwithweapons‘Piracy ininternational 11 June2011. contractors’, detainsfour New antipiracy York‘Eritrea Times, pirates’, DailyMail, 20December2011. shippingfromtheclutchesofSomali protect international ‘To battlingto catchapirate: ex-servicemen theBritish 8 May 2012. Blackwatermoment’, risks ‘Shooting tokillpirates , Bloomberg fishermen’, BBCNews, 18May 2012. March 2012; withmurder of Italianmarines ‘India charges whotackleSomalipirates’,‘The UKfirms BBCNews, 24 30 October2011. ‘Somali piracy: guards to protect UK ships’, armed ,Reuters 21November 2011. ‘Exclusive: againstpirates’, take uparms firms Security Sea Marshals official website:Sea Marshals seamarshals.com inUncertain World’Certainty section. www.pviltd.com Protection Vessels website; International ‘Delivering BBC News, 00 Mercenaries Unleashed: The brave new world of private military and security companies Published: January 2016 War on Want 44-48 Shepherdess Walk Written by Dr Sam Raphael, Kingston London N1 7JP University, with funding support from the United Kingdom Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust. Tel: +44 (0)20 7324 5040 This briefing is based on original Email: [email protected] research carried out by the following www.waronwant.org Kingston University students, as part of a partnership between War on Want @waronwant and Kingston University’s Department of Politics and International Relations: facebook.com/waronwant Zaineb Alshakri, Bianca Bello-Biamonti, Carolina Costa Candal, Ana Da Silva, Russel Harland, Josie Hill, Hal Holmes, Company limited by guarantee Youriy Ichtchouk, Kate Jones, Rachel Reg No. 629916 Peonides, Megan Smith and Patricia Syka. Charity No. 208724

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