I thought this was interesting, because the whole intent of the discussion was to highlight the fact that the UN is using private security contractors and at the same time, the UN is tasked with defining how countries are to use and regulate private security contractors. Hell, they even put together a group called the UN Working Group on the Use of Mercenaries(UNWG). The title of the group should give you some indication of the irony here.
So my question is this. Does the UNWG classify the security contractors that the UN uses as mercenaries? Does the UNWG classify the UN’s private security contractors as lawful combatants? Check out what the IPOA feels about the whole thing here, and this should give you some context before listening to these guys.
Finally, there are other speakers at this forum, and follow the link below if you would like to listen to them as well. –Matt
——————————————————————-
Private Security Contractors and the UN – May 19, 2010
From the Global Policy Forum Website
On 19th May 2010, GPF hosted a lunchtime discussion on Private Security Contractors and their involvement with the United Nations….
…..In January 2010, the UN announced it would hire a British private security firm to protect its staff in Afghanistan. This contradicted past statements made by UN officials that condemned PSCs and argued against their use. As the UN’s relationship with PSCs changes, some crucial questions need answering: how many private security contractors does the UN hire? What does the UN hire PSCs for? What means are being used to monitor them? And more generally, can the UN be used as a vehicle to make PSCs accountable for their actions?
The Draft International Convention on the Regulation, Oversight and Monitoring Of Private Military and Security Companies has been circulating since 2009, with a UN working group prepared to announce the results of its consultations in September 2010. But even if the UN is able to ratify a convention, does it have the capacity to enforce it?
*****
Click here to listen to James Cockayne, Part One
Jame Cockayne was the first speaker at GPF’s event on Private Security Contractors and the United Nations. Cockayne addresses three things in his speech: does the United Nations use private security contractors; what policy does the UN have towards private security contractors; and how can the UN, in the future, use strong policy to better regulate private security contractors.
Click here to listen to James Cockayne, Part Two
*****
Click here to listen to Scott Horton – Part One
Scott Horton was the second speaker at this event. Horton’s experiences as a journalist and New York attornee, gave valuable insight to the role Private Security Contractors play in global conflict. Horton focussed particuarly on the PSCs and the use of unmanned drones.
Click here to listen to Scott_Horton – Part Two
Link to Global Policy Forum here.