Under International law, what is the legal status of Private Military Contractors during military occupation and under United Nations Peace Keeping Operations?

Un extrait de la thèse:

Over the past few decades, the phenomenon in growth of Private Military Companies has been on an unprecedented scale. The concerns as to the role and status of these companies, but more importantly the employees whom we classify as Contractors, are at the forefront of the debate. In this essay, I will be firstly identifying these companies, then defining their employees, and how under current International human rights law and humanitarian law, although there are provisions regarding civilians and mercenaries, their status is difficult and unaccounted for on an international level. Thereafter, I will examine the National legislation of the United States of America, the United Kingdom and South Africa to see what leadership they have taken in providing and developing provisions for these deemed-secondary international actors.1 This essay however, will namely be examined from the perspective of recent atrocities that have occurred, and the extended question of whether any of these acts will be held accounted for and what if any resolution can be found under International law development. Moreover the discussion of Private Military Companies would be discussed in context of Iraq. The debate of the accountability of the role of these Contractors through these Private Military Companies is still new, and hence the floor is open to much academic interest.