Stop the privatisation of war

For most people war means pain, suffering and poverty.

Yet not everyone is made poorer by war. For some companies, war means profit. Private Military and Security Companies (PMSCs) are making a killing out of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and in conflicts around the globe.

Guns for Hire

The last decade has seen a boom in the private military and security industry mainly as a result of the war on Iraq in 2003. Over the last three years the British government has spent more than £148 million pounds on contracts to private armies it is using in Afghanistan and Iraq.

There are currently tens of thousands of mercenaries working for private armies across the globe and UK companies are some of the biggest players in the industry.

War on Want believes outsourcing miltary contracts to private companies amounts to the privatisation of war.  We are campaigning to get private armies regulated.

Human rights abuse

Killings and human rights abuses by private armies in Iraq have dominated the headlines. This  'trophy video' shows employees of British company Aegis Defence Services randomly shooting automatic weapons at civilian cars in Baghdad.

Stop Private Armies

In April 2009 the UK government proposed that private armies sign up to a voluntary code of conduct and effectively police themselves. War on Want believes that self-regulation of this deadly industry is not an option. Men with guns must be properly regulated.

Take action now to stop private armies.

Photo by Guy Smallman