ADM HR-Mil
Humanitarianism and the
Privatization of Security:
Rationales, Challenges, and
Prospects
Dr. Christopher Spearin
4 May 2006
Outline
Sections
1)
2)
How private security companies (PSCs) interact with non-governmental
organizations (NGOs)
Prospects of an independent humanitarian role for PSCs
Rationale for relationship
► Rise of non-state actors
- “NGOization” of politics
- development of the private security industry
► NGO security needs
- caught in crossfire
- subject to direct attack for political and economic reasons
► PSC desire for remuneration and international legitimacy
ADM HR-Mil
Canadian Forces College
Challenges in the NGO-PSC Relationship - I
• Some NGOs prefer to follow the humanitarian ethic or the
acceptance strategy to ensure security
• Challenges in learning about the PSC-NGO relationship
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Uncomfortable talking about armed actors
Worried about offering legitimacy
Fearful of donor wrath
Do not want to bring internal divides into the open
Difficulties in a collective NGO response to PSCs
PSCs protecting client confidentiality
ADM HR-Mil
Canadian Forces College
Images taken from http://www.moles.org/ProjectUnderground/pix/eologo.gif; http://www.brookings.edu/rios/data/sources/portrait/474894142b16ff3b6ed6fde10a141465.jpg
; http://www.help-for-you.com/news/May2002/May15/ap_somalia_factional_fighter_150.jpg
Challenges in the NGO-PSC Relationship - II
• Culture clash between NGO and PSC personnel
Peter Singer
• Will likely still impact upon local conflict dynamics
• Reliance on indigenous expertise for financial reasons
• Fuel conflict dynamics
• Draw individuals away from indigenous security sector
institutions
• Linkages to other clients
• Foreign and indigenous clients (state and non-state)
• PSCs desire an economy of scale, perhaps to the
detriment of NGO activities
ADM HR-Mil
Canadian Forces College
Images taken from http://www.hatsofflynden.com/images/Flags%20Of%20The%20World/United%20Nations.JPG; http://www.cyberie.qc.ca/images/denard4.jpg
Challenges in the NGO-PSC Relationship - III
• NGO developing, but often minimal, expertise in
private security matters
• Lack of knowledge as to how a firm operates
• Lack of knowledge about capabilities, past operations,
characteristics of PSC personnel
• Difficulties in developing a pan-NGO approach or
databank of lessons learned
• Minimal support from the United Nations
– Schizophrenic approach (emphasis on soldiers of
fortune)
– OCHA guidelines
ADM HR-Mil
Canadian Forces College
Images taken from http://www.brownalumnimagazine.com/photos/minear.jpg; http://www.watsoninstitute.org/images_news/Antonio_Donini.jpg
A “Humanitarian” Space for PSCs?
• Shift from avoidance/containment strategies to peace
consolidation strategies involving state and non-state
actors
• Difficult for some NGOs
Humanitarian Alibi
Larry Minear
Mobilizing Myth
Antonio Donini
• Continued/increasing violence against NGOs
• Pullouts
• Targeted because viewed as part of the foreign presence
ADM HR-Mil
Canadian Forces College
ADM HR-Mil
Canadian Forces College
ADM HR-Mil
Canadian Forces College