IRRC No. 863

Business goes to war: private military/security companies and international humanitarian law

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This article examines the key legal issues raised by PMCs/PSCs operating in situations of armed conflict, including the status of the staff of these companies and their responsibilities under international humanitarian law; the responsibilities of the states that hire them; and those of the states in whose territory PMCs/PSCs are incorporated or operate.

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Business goes to war: private military/security companies and international humanitarian law author: Emanuela-Chiara Gillard

20 min read

Private military companies: their status under international humanitarian law and its impact on their regulation author: Lindsey Cameron

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Corporate actors: The legal status of mercenaries in armed conflict author: Katherine Fallah

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Promoting compliance of private security and military companies with international humanitarian law author: Benjamin Perrin

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Elements for contracting and regulating private security and military companies author: Michael Cottier

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Corporate civil liability for violations of international humanitarian law author: Eric Mongelard

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National implementation of international humanitarian law – Biannual update, January to June 2006 author:

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Books and articles (Autumn 2006) author:

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