Are Hired Guns running Amok?

It has come to the public’s attention that the Canadian government has no policy or legislation to govern hired guns in combat zones. This is seen as a problem for human rights activists and opposition parties who believe it leaves Canada dangerously exposed to severe consequences.

There are currently four private military contractors employed by the Canadian Federal government. These contractors take up the responsibility of guarding bases and construction sites. Foreign Affairs have also hired private military contractors for embassies and diplomats in hot spots all over the world

Private military contractors are not new additions to the battlefield. For over the last decade they have been assisting professional armies. This allows the state armies to focus on other issues. Recently, several incidents involving private military contractors have been catching the public’s eye.

Master Corporal Josh Roberts was killed in a firefight that involved private military contractors. It was initially believed that a bullet from a private security guard killed Roberts, although later investigation stated that Roberts died from a Taliban bullet. Robert’s family have their doubts on their finding. Incidents involving private security contractors have also raised concerns in Iraq where 14 Iraqis were murdered by a private military contractor who was employed by Blackwater USA.

The Canadian government has taken the initiative to sign the Montraux document, a non-binding international agreement that deals with the use of private military contractors. Canada was 1 of 30 countries that signed the agreement which also included the United States. This agreement states that the government to take responsibility for the actions of their hired contractors and ensure that those private contractors follow international human right laws. However it is important to keep in mind that this is a non-binding agreement, which means it has no legal weight to it. Instead, the Canadian government uses individual contracts to outline agreements and guidelines between each individual company. The contract for the private military companies stationed in Afghanistan includes obeying and complying with Afghan laws and regulations.  The contract also states that the onus is on the company to prove their complying with laws and regulation.

This will become an important issue as more and more private military contractor are employed in the military. The Canadian government should follow in the foot steps of the United States in creating legislation to regulate actions of private military contractors. If we allow these private military contractors to run amok then it will create a bad image of Canada.

Brewster, M. (2009). Human-rights group alarmed Ottawa has no policy to govern hired guns. Retrieved June 23, 2009 from http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5gxuIQnHNLHKV8ruUAfHRft22pHVA