Background on Private Military Contractors
The publication of photos depicting Iraqi detainees being physically and mentally abused at Abu Ghraib prison caused shock and outrage across the world. Following publication of these horrific images, serious allegations of involvement in the abuse by private military companies contracted by the U.S. government emerged. Yet years later, Bush administration officials have made virtually no effort to hold contractors accountable or to compensate victims.
The U.S. government has outsourced billions of dollars in contracts to private companies, leaving to civilians some of the most essential and sensitive functions in the war, including providing security for U.S government personnel and reconstruction projects, operating and maintaining weapons systems, translating during interrogations and conducting interrogations. Despite weak reporting requirements placed on private security firms, allegations have surfaced implicating civilians working for the U.S. government in mistreatment of Iraqi and Afghan civilians.
In 2004, the Army's Fay / Jones and Taguba reports investigating abuse at Abu Ghraib implicated contractors from two companies, Titan Corp. and CACI, in torture and ill treatment. Further, of the 20 known cases of alleged misconduct by civilians in the "war on terror" that were forwarded by the Pentagon and CIA to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for investigation, the DOJ has prosecuted one case, dismissed two, and left open the remaining 17.
Then, late last year, at a Congressional hearing of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the general counsel of Blackwater admitted that one of its employees had shot and killed an Iraqi security officer on December 24, 2006. However, the US Attorney's office of the Western District of Washington refuses even to confirm if an investigation is underway and if charges will be filed.
Most recently, the media has reported that former KBR contractor, Jamie Leigh Jones, was allegedly gang-raped in 2005 by KBR colleagues. While the Department of Defense refuses to probe the charges, citing the case's status as "open" with the DOJ, even repeated inquiries by US Congressmen have been met with Justice Department silence.
Currently contractors operate in a virtual rules-free zone; they are exempt from Iraqi law per a Coalition Provisional Authority order and they fall outside the military chain of command.
Learn more about Amnesty International USA's efforts to hold private military contractors accountable for human rights violations in the "war on terror."
Join the Corporate Action Network to find out more ways you can take action to ensure private military companies and other corporate actors are upholding human rights.
