War by Contract
Human Rights, Humanitarian Law, and Private Contractors
Francesco Francioni editor Natalino Ronzitti editor
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Oxford University Press
Published:13th Jan '11
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
The growth in scope and importance of the private military and security industry in the past decade has challenged the role of the state as the main provider of defence and security functions. At the same time it has put under stress the state's authority to properly oversee the conduct of private contractors and has raised the question of whether existing rules of domestic law and international law are adequate to ensure their accountability in the event of abuse. This book addresses this question through the lens of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. It presents a systematic analysis of the way in which these two bodies of international law, applicable in times of peace and in the event of armed conflict, may be interpreted and implemented in a way so as to fill possible accountability gaps. Human rights and humanitarian law obligations are analysed from the point of view of their applicability to the states involved, to international organisations, and to the companies and their individual employees. Victims' access to civil remedies and the criminal prosecution of private contractors, as well as new policy issues, such as the use of private contractors in the fight against piracy, are also covered in the book.
There is hardly a more timely or topical book for those who are interested in the evolution of international humanitarian law, or the expansion of human rights law to new areas and issues regarding the responsibility of states for acts outsourced to PMSCs ... It should quickly find a solid place on the shelves of all university law libraries and beyond. * Rein Müllerson, European Journal of International Law *
...the most comprehensive and up-to-date volume that grapples with the thorny issues surrounding PMSCs...that is currently available...the analyses presented will remain continually relevant into the future...an impressive achievement and it would be unsurprising if it became the definitive work in the area. * Hin-Yan Liu, King's College London *
...a unique survey of the legal implications of employing private contractors on maritime vessels...a meaningful and necessary first step in such an analysis * Piracy-law.com *
War by Contract is an impressive achievement and it would not be surprising if it became the definitive work in this area. War by Contract is certainly the most comprehensive and up-to-date volume that engages with the issues surrounding PMSCs, viewed from the perspective of international human rights and international humanitarian law, which is currently available * Maria D Sommardahl, Nordic Law Review *
ISBN: 9780199604555
Dimensions: 240mm x 164mm x 39mm
Weight: 1004g
578 pages