Mr. Nobody is accountable for the works of Private Military Companies/Contractors (PMC's)

Private companies, work on extraterritorial grounds under the clearances of governments but operate under private jurisdiction. Because of these, there are major human rights abuses.

Photo by Demidov Armor on Unsplash

By: Aryaneel Sivam

Introduction:

We must have heard about the various private military companies or government contractors that work together in accordance with the government to perform various tasks on extraterritorial grounds, other than their own State. This brings forward a very intricate and complex situation to ponder upon. Private companies, work on extraterritorial grounds under the clearances of governments but operate under private jurisdiction. There are multiple cases of human rights abuses, ignorance of basic human rights, unaccountability and lack of a proper legal framework to hold these private companies or contractors accountable. 

Human rights violations :

Governments of State oftentimes neglect the actions of such PMC(s) if they commit any human rights violations, or any violations of international law whatsoever. States do not take responsibility and don't want themselves to be held accountable for the work of such private companies. And because these private firms work on alien grounds, that, most of the times do not have their bases on, and oftentimes don't have the clearances of permissions for the government of the State they are operating in, lack the proper legal means by which one can hold them accountable.

Accountability issues:

Accountability issues regarding these private firms are major and concerning. They are oftentimes taken back to their own State of origin to be examined. But back at home, no actions are taken against them. And also, in most instances, these private military contractors/companies have bases or headquarters all across the globe, which makes them even more difficult to be addressed legally. The problem, of which State will hold them accountable, which State will take their responsibility and Which State will be a victim proves a difficult situation to tackle.  

The Challenge:

This becomes equally more challenging, when such a firm, that originates from a State, has people working for them from another 2nd State but works and operates in a 3rd State, which becomes an even more complex procedure. And the people or victims are left hanging, while people ponder upon how to hold them accountable. These cases do not even address human rights violations or abuses and are oftentimes neglected and ignored.