Certifying Private Security Companies: Effectively Ensuring the Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights?

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-77
Author(s):  
Sorcha MACLEOD ◽  
Rebecca DEWINTER-SCHMITT
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Corporate Responsibility ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Private Security ◽  
Management Standards ◽  
Private Security Companies ◽  
Norm Compliance ◽  
Security Companies

AbstractThe key purpose of this article is to critically assess the extent to which auditing and certification to quality assurance and risk management standards containing human rights-related requirements are an adequate and effective means of ensuring that private security companies internalize their responsibility to respect human rights. Based on participant observation, interviews and publicly accessible data, it concludes that in the absence of the adoption of specific assurance measures in the certification and oversight processes, the constructivist ‘tipping point’ resulting in the internalization of the corporate responsibility to respect may not be attained when there is inadequate norm compliance or, worse yet, norm regression.

scholarly journals Human rights violations committed by private military and security companies: an international law analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 753-766 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elzbieta Karska
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Private Security ◽  
International Community ◽  
Human Rights Violations ◽  
Real Problem ◽  
Security Industry ◽  
Private Security Companies ◽  
Private Security Industry ◽  
International Conventions ◽  
Security Companies

Abstract: This paper is devoted to the growing phenomenon of the private military and security industry with respect to human rights obligations. In the first part, it will analyze the concept of a private security company, which is not clear in national regulations and has few relevant provisions in international conventions. The second part will contain a short description of examples of human rights violations committed by private military and security companies, or with their participation, during service delivery or other forms of activity. The third part of this paper discusses possible methods of responsibility enforcement, with respect to the transnational character of many private security companies involved in human rights violations worldwide. One of the most important elements of the discussion in international community should focus on binding international instrument, preferably a convention, which would be able to establish at least very elementary rules for states and international organizations, responsible for using private military and security companies. The international community has witnessed a lot of initiatives from non-governmental entities, also model laws and self-regulations of the private security industry, but still the real problem has not even been reduced. The number of human rights violations has grown. Keywords: Human rights. Private security companies. Liability.

scholarly journals National, International and Legal Mechanisms of Control over the Activity of Non-Government Security Entities

2019 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 31-36
Author(s):  
М. В. Завальний
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
Private Security ◽  
General Tendency ◽  
Physical Force ◽  
Security Sector ◽  
Security Services ◽  
Private Security Companies ◽  
Business Structures ◽  
Security Companies

The author of the article has studied the reasons for introducing a control mechanism over the activities of private security companies, which play an increasingly important role in the security sector worldwide. These companies by providing security services, directly influence the security, human rights and democratic order of the country. In this regard, it has been emphasized that the issues of legal regulation of the activities and responsibilities of private security companies are particularly important for society and the state. The importance of controlling private security companies and security services is conditioned by the particularities of the services provided by these entities. Private security companies in the course of their activities can apply physical force, special means (in some countries even firearms) to citizens, carry out their detention, which in turn can cause degrading treatment and physical suffering. Further privatization and outsourcing in the security sector has led to a significant expansion of this area and increased risks of human rights and freedoms’ violations. The author has stated that the purpose of control over the activity of non-government entities in the field of security and safety is to prevent deviations from the established order of state security and public order protection, prevention, detection and termination of actions that harm the protected state interests. The need to strengthen this control is due to two main aspects: 1) there is a need to raise the standards of corporate governance in the field of non-governmental protection of human rights; 2) there is a more general tendency to regulate the behavior of all business structures regarding human rights in all areas of their activities. The author has distinguished four possible ways to influence private security companies: national legal systems and courts; corporate norms; international and regional voluntary initiatives; international and legal regulation.

Improving Human Rights in the Private Security Industry: Envisioning the Role of ICoCA in Latin America

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-107
Author(s):  
Cristina NARVÁEZ GONZÁLEZ ◽  
Katharine VALENCIA
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Latin America ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
Private Security ◽  
Human Rights Abuses ◽  
Security Industry ◽  
Private Security Companies ◽  
Private Security Industry ◽  
Security Companies

AbstractThe private security industry in Latin America has been associated with human rights abuses, particularly in the context of extractive operations. Most private security guards in the region are poorly trained and do not undergo adequate vetting. These factors combined with serious deficiencies in the rule of law across the region too often enable private security companies to effectively operate outside state control and engage in human rights abusive practices. This article argues that adoption of the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Providers (ICoC) by Latin American private security companies and states, coupled with civil society engagement with ICoC’s Association, may help reduce negative human rights impacts arising out of private security services within the extractive industry.

scholarly journals Drivers and barriers to workplace-based HIV self-testing among high-risk men in Uganda: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patience A. Muwanguzi ◽  
Robert C. Bollinger ◽  
Stuart C. Ray ◽  
LaRon E. Nelson ◽  
Noah Kiwanuka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Private Security ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Private Security Companies ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
Hiv Testing Services ◽  
Security Companies

Abstract Background Men in Sub-Saharan Africa are less engaged than women in accessing HIV testing and treatment and, consequently, experience higher HIV-related mortality. Reaching men with HIV testing services is challenging, thus, increasing the need for innovative ways to engage men with low access and those at higher risk. In this study, we explore men’s perceptions of drivers and barriers of workplace-based HIV self-testing in Uganda. Methods An exploratory study involving men working in private security companies employing more than 50 men in two districts, in central and western Uganda. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were conducted. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results Forty-eight (48) men from eight private security companies participated in 5 focus group discussions and 17 key informant interviews. Of the 48 men, 14(29.2%) were ages 26–35 years. The majority 31(64.6%) were security guards. The drivers reported for workplace-based HIV self-testing included convenience, autonomy, positive influence from work colleagues, the need for alternative access for HIV testing services, incentives, and involvement of employers. The barriers reported were the prohibitive cost of HIV tests, stigma, lack of testing support, the fear of discrimination and isolation, and concerns around decreased work productivity in the event of a reactive self-test. Conclusions We recommend the involvement of employers in workplace-based HIV self-testing to encourage participation by employees. There is need for HIV self-testing support both during and after the testing process. Both employers and employees recommend the use of non-monetary incentives, and regular training about HIV self-testing to increase the uptake and acceptability of HIV testing services at the workplace.

The Players: Humanitarians, Militaries, Industry and Private Security Companies

2009 ◽  
pp. 31-73
Author(s):  
M. Kett ◽  
A. van Tulleken ◽  
Martin C. M. Bricknell ◽  
T. Spicer ◽  
K. Morland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Private Security ◽  
Private Security Companies ◽  
Security Companies

scholarly journals Privatizing war and security in Afghanistan: Future or dead end?

2007 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Giustozzi
Keyword(s):  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Private Security ◽  
Security Forces ◽  
Abusive Behavior ◽  
Private Security Companies ◽  
Dead End ◽  
Military Discipline ◽  
Security Companies

An assessment of the employment of mercenaries in Afghanistan gives mixed results. U.S. armed forces appear to have been happy with the Afghan Security Forces and ad hoc militias and only replaced them because of political reasons or because they felt that they were no longer needed. By contrast, the work of private security companies seems to have satisfied few. While in the short term no practical alternative to their use existed, it is not obvious that this option saves any money to the governments involved in the medium and long-term. Moreover, private security contractors are not subject to the control of military authorities, nor to military discipline. Their record of abusive behavior is indisputable and probably played a significant role in alienating the Afghan public. Unless much changes, the potential of private security companies in peacekeeping does not appear to be a bright one.

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