Swissinfo.ch reports that, in light of their reputation of unrestrained mercenary activities, sixty private security contractors, including American company Blackwater, recently signed an international code in Geneva.  They pledged to respect human rights and humanitarian law.  However, experts are skeptical that any real change will occur since the code does not establish an oversight mechanism.

French Author Gérard Chaliand, who has written extensively about these firms, noted that “regulating this industry seems indispensable… with extended activities requiring new rules.  But it shouldn’t just be declarations of intention: there should also be sanctions.”  Furthermore, while these companies are supposed to establish a steering committee that will form an independent oversight mechanism, Chailand says “it seems unlikely that it will happen for the big American companies since they don’t even have to answer to Congress.  The code is there to reassure, but it is more likely to be symbolic rather than effective.”

Reported by Swissinfo.ch on November 22, 2010.