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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Security firms 'abusing Iraqis' | Security firms 'abusing Iraqis' |
| (4 days later) | |
| Private security firms operating in Iraq are committing human rights abuses, a charity has claimed. | Private security firms operating in Iraq are committing human rights abuses, a charity has claimed. |
| A report by War on Want says no prosecutions have been brought despite hundreds of complaints of abuse. | A report by War on Want says no prosecutions have been brought despite hundreds of complaints of abuse. |
| And the charity is calling on the government to introduce legislation to ban private security in war zones. | And the charity is calling on the government to introduce legislation to ban private security in war zones. |
| Lt Col Tim Spicer, whose Aegis security firm operates in Iraq, said they worked under "very strict rules" and could be prosecuted if they did anything wrong. | Lt Col Tim Spicer, whose Aegis security firm operates in Iraq, said they worked under "very strict rules" and could be prosecuted if they did anything wrong. |
| 'Huge profits' | 'Huge profits' |
| War on Want claims UK ministers are increasingly using private security firms with a total of 48,000 employees in Iraq - six to every British soldier. | War on Want claims UK ministers are increasingly using private security firms with a total of 48,000 employees in Iraq - six to every British soldier. |
| John Hilary, the group's campaigns and policy director, said the Iraq war "has allowed British mercenaries to reap huge profits". | John Hilary, the group's campaigns and policy director, said the Iraq war "has allowed British mercenaries to reap huge profits". |
| Regulation would add clarity to what people can and can't do Lt Col Tim SpicerAegis | Regulation would add clarity to what people can and can't do Lt Col Tim SpicerAegis |
| "But the government has failed to enact laws to punish their human rights abuses, including firing on Iraqi civilians. | "But the government has failed to enact laws to punish their human rights abuses, including firing on Iraqi civilians. |
| "How can Tony Blair hope to restore peace and security in Iraq while allowing mercenary armies to operate completely outside the law? | "How can Tony Blair hope to restore peace and security in Iraq while allowing mercenary armies to operate completely outside the law? |
| "We call on the government to introduce tough legislation as a matter of urgency to ban the use of mercenaries in these conflict situations." | "We call on the government to introduce tough legislation as a matter of urgency to ban the use of mercenaries in these conflict situations." |
| The report is published on the opening day of the first annual conference of the British Association of Private Security Companies in London. | The report is published on the opening day of the first annual conference of the British Association of Private Security Companies in London. |
| Dispel myths | Dispel myths |
| Col Spicer said it was "completely inaccurate" to suggest that security firms operated outside the law. | Col Spicer said it was "completely inaccurate" to suggest that security firms operated outside the law. |
| He said: "If a British or US citizen - or a citizen of any other country - committed an offence, it is perfectly possible for the government of that country to implement a prosecution against them." | He said: "If a British or US citizen - or a citizen of any other country - committed an offence, it is perfectly possible for the government of that country to implement a prosecution against them." |
| But he said he supported proper regulation of the industry because it would "dispel a lot of the myths and make the situation much clearer". | But he said he supported proper regulation of the industry because it would "dispel a lot of the myths and make the situation much clearer". |
| "It would add clarity to what people can and can't do and where they stand with regard to the law." | "It would add clarity to what people can and can't do and where they stand with regard to the law." |
| Earlier this year the US army launched an inquiry after a video posted on the internet showed an Aegis Defence Services contractor firing at civilian cars in Iraq. | Earlier this year the US army launched an inquiry after a video posted on the internet showed an Aegis Defence Services contractor firing at civilian cars in Iraq. |
| But it said no charges should follow and an investigation by Aegis found that the incident was within the rules on the use of force by civilian personnel. | But it said no charges should follow and an investigation by Aegis found that the incident was within the rules on the use of force by civilian personnel. |