UN labels private security forces as mercenaries

Malaysia Sun

A United Nations report has criticised private security companies which operate without accountability in war zones, including Iraq and Afghanistan.

A five-member UN panel, set up two years ago, carried out investigations in countries including Chile, Fiji and Peru, where many contracted guards in Iraq and Afghanistan are from.

There has been a growing demand for former police and military personnel to work in dangerous countries, which give de facto legal immunity to private military and security company personnel.

Many of the private security companies have contracts with the Pentagon or U.S State Department in Afghanistan and Iraq.............