Topic: Status of Defense Contractors and Non-National Combatants
Country: Uganda
Delegate Name: Ben Johnson
School: Williamston High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Uganda position papers GLIMUN 2008 committees
War is always chaotic but the lines between friend foe and civilian used to be clearly drawn. More and more the world is seeing non national combatants used to fill the gaps a standard military cannot fill. However the legality of such combatants is always under question because the problem is how does one determine the difference between a Private Millitary Contractor, and a person who happened to own a gun defending their homeland? Also, in the event of a P.M.C.'s capture, what rules apply? Are they to be returned to their nation of origin or the nation they are fighting for? Uganda understands the need for the official status and rights of P.M.C's and non national combatants to be clearly outlined.
So far unaffected by the issue Uganda has not seen a need to take national initiative to the resolution of it. However, by supporting the Geneva Conventions it does advocate for the rights and ethical treatment of prisoners of war, regardless of their national status. As far as future use of P.M.C.'s, especially in Africa, Uganda does not forsee any problems with the continued use of P.M.C.'s and non national combatants as long as their legal and political status is resolved.
Uganda believes that an international outline of the rights, legal and political status of P.M.C.'s would allow for better international understanding on the issue and a decrease in tension over vague terms open to interpretation. Uganda would like to work closely with its fellow members in the forming of an international definition about the political, legal, and ethical rights of P.M.C.'s and non national Combatants.
