UK gives the gift of self-regulation

From the people who brought you the three Anglo-Afghan wars:

Foreign Office to propose self-regulation for private military firms

Richard Norton-Taylor
The Guardian, Friday 24 April 2009

The fast-expanding industry of private military companies, some of which have been engaged in highly controversial activities, should be self-regulating, the government is to propose...

At the height of such firms' activity in Iraq three years ago there were an estimated three British private security guards to every British soldier...

Tim Hancock, Amnesty International campaigns director, said: "There are a large number of British-based, private military and security companies operating in conflict zones ... if the government does propose a self-regulatory system it would effectively grant them impunity to do whatever they like... (link)

Related:

• (October 2007) Private security companies "undermining the rule of law" in Afghanistan.

• (November 2007) "Private security companies often hire former Afghan militiamen either as individuals or, in some cases, en masse along with their local warlord commander," says a Swisspeace report.

• (December 2007) Corpwatch on private security contractor USPI.