Country: Denmark
Committee: DISEC
Topic: Private Military Contractors
Delegate:
School: Williamston High School
Private military contractors have been around for many years. Many of these contractors are hired by well-known people and even big business companies who want guards or protection for the people inside the building and the people who work for the company who is high up the chain of command. In the United States, there are many well-known private military contractors already known such as Academi, G4S, KBR, and Vinnell Corporation. Some new reports found the use of contractors such as companies like Blackwater which is now named Academi was found illegal under international law. Private military contractors and even private security contractors account for more than half of the boots who are in Afghanistan and Iraq are part of a business that is much bigger. Those contractors are a part of a huge industry, this industry has become a major role in contemporary international politics. Many of the private military contractors act illegally or even put the lives of many in danger. As a committee and we as delegates need to work together to solve this issue.
Denmark has signed a policy about private military contractors. The policy Denmark signed allows the use of private military contractors aboard ships to defend against pirates, but Denmark really has no legislation specifically aimed at regulating private military contractors and mercenaries. Though, there are many laws that indirectly relate to private military contractors. In Penal Code in paragraph 128 that makes it a criminal offense that is punishable by up to two years in prison or a fine. This Penal Code states that you cannot recruit in Denmark for foreign war service. Along there is another law in Denmark that dates back to 1914 that was introduced with a connection with the Danish being neutral in WWI. This law makes it an offense to encourage enrollment in the armed forces to aid in support during the war when the Danish state is neutral. With this law, the government is specifically given the power to forbid military service in a given country, this is understood in the sense where any military service includes armed rebel groups and state armies.
Denmark feels that one of the first steps that are needed to be taken is talking with private military contractors leaders or who is in charge. Having a good relationship with the country they are stationed in is a way to make sure there is no conflict governmentally and politically. This way if someway a conflict arises involving the government they are not surprised when they find the private military contractors in that area because the government knows they are there and there will not be any conflict. Another aspect of private military contractors Denmark would like to see is limiting the power they have in a certain place. By regulating what powers private military contractors have in a country there will be less illegal action being taken. This would ensure hopefully more people being saved from violence. Private military contractors can be helpful in some way but very threatening in others, the committee and its delegates need to take the time to figure out a way to solve this issue.
- Mikayla Lomas
