the rise and rise of private military companies - Peace Operations ...

Hyder GulamThe involvement of these PMCs in armed conflict has not been without concern.PMCs are reported to have been involved in massacres, executions, looting, and rapeduring the period of their involvement. It is arguable that because PMCs often lackpart of the hierarchical command structure of regular military forces such as theAustralian Defence Force (ADF), lack ethnic or cultural connections to the civilianpopulations, and often have employees who were discharged from prior militaryservice because of disciplinary problems, PMCs may be more likely to engage insystematic human rights abuses and violations of the law of war. 12 This thesis willexamine this notion, with a particular emphasis on the ADF and the UN. Finally, thisthesis will posit recommendations that the Australian Government may wish toconsider regarding the regulation of PMCs, including becoming a party to the UNConvention on Mercenaries.12 Montgomery Sapone, ‘Have Rifle With Scope, Will Travel: The Global Economy of MercenaryViolence’, 30 California Western International Law Journal 1 Fall, 1999 at 3.Page 5The rise and rise of Private Military Companies