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DfID and UN should regulate private security firms

Donor agencies and national governments should draw up international regulations to oversee the role of private companies in security sector reform, according to a report published today by Demos, the leading democratic think tank.

Written by Francesco Mancini of the International Peace Academy (IPA), In Good Company? The role of business in security sector reform argues that the United Nations and other donor agencies should establish common international standards to govern the growing involvement of private security companies and global management consulting firms in the reform of security services.

“Reforming the security sector in the developing world is a vital element in the war on terror and in the fight against corruption,” says Rachel Briggs of Demos. “Increasingly, donor countries like the UK and international agencies such as the United Nations Development Programme are outsourcing this work to the private sector. But the lack of a clear set of rules, either globally or within the UK, leaves the system open to abuse by ‘rogue traders’ and hinders the effectiveness of reform programmes”.

The report highlights the dangers of firms with unsuitable backgrounds offering security sector reform services, a problem which is exacerbated by donor agencies' lack of transparency and sometimes limited market knowledge. The report proposes an international 'black list' of rogue companies, as well as national legislation to regulate the private sector's role in security reform and an international agreement establishing basic standards under the auspices of the UN.

“Donors and international organisations must recognise that they need to develop more effective ways to engage the private sector as an ally and partner,” says the report’s author, Francesco Mancini of the IPA. “Governments must improve the way they use and control the services of the contractors. Crucial improvements include new legislation that establishes more transparent contracting processes and stronger government oversight.”

The report examines the role of private companies in helping to reform the security apparatus – including the police, armed forces, judiciary and intelligence services – in Jamaica, Nigeria, the Balkans and elsewhere.

It analyses the role of private security companies, global management consulting firms and risk management companies in the delivery of security sector reform. In practice, this means anything from professional and operational training of the armed forces to financial and human resources management projects to reduce judicial corruption, and devising and implementing organisational reform programmes for the military, security services and police.

Notes to editors

  1. In Good Company? will be launched on Tuesday 4th October, 8-10 am. The launch event will take place at Demos, Third Floor, Magadalen House, 136 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2TU. Please register for the event by contacting Demos by emailing charlie.edwards@demos.co.uk
  2. In Good Company? The role of business in security sector reform, written by Franceso Mancini, is published by Demos and the International Peace Academy on Tuesday 4th October 2005. Copies can be downloaded from www.demos.co.uk/publications/ingoodcompany or ordered from Central Books on 020 8986 5488.
  3. Francesco Mancini is Senior Program Officer at the International Peace Academy. He teaches a graduate seminar on conflict assessment at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University, New York.
  4. Rachel Briggs is Head of International Programmes at Demos and runs the ‘Joining Forces: Tackling global security through local partnerships’ research programme. Her publications include Joining Forces: From national security to networked security, Doing Business in a Dangerous World and The Kidnapping Business.
  5. Demos is an independent think tank with a long-standing research interest in global security. This pamphlet is part of a wider programme of work on the tackling global security through local partnerships.