scholarly journals Private Security Companies: Emerging Protectors of China’s Overseas Interests

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Xin Tian
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
Private Security ◽  
Gun Control ◽  
Personal Safety ◽  
Chinese Enterprises ◽  
Business Operation ◽  
Private Security Companies ◽  
Chinese Overseas ◽  
Host Nation ◽  
Security Companies

An increasing number of Chinese enterprises and citizens are going abroad, which exposes them to risks threatening their personal safety and security of their property. With the expansion of Chinese overseas interests, traditional protection methods fall short of a demand for diverse services, revealing a major shortfall in the Chinese government’s capability to provide overseas security protection for its citizens. New service providers are therefore urgently needed, and private security company are becoming an increasingly popular choice. As this is a fairly new demand, only a small number of Chinese private security companies are operating overseas at present. Difficulties abound for them, such as absence of regulatory clarity on business operation and gun control. The presence of private security providers could also pose a challenge to host nation authority and trigger conflicts. To serve as true protectors of overseas Chinese interests, Chinese private security companies have a long way to go.

Private Security Companies and Other Private Security Service Providers (PSCs) and Environmental Protection in Jus Post Bellum

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Onita Das ◽  
Aneaka Kellayv
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Private Security ◽  
Shared Responsibility ◽  
International Human Rights Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Jus Post Bellum ◽  
Private Security Companies ◽  
Security Service ◽  
Security Companies

A challenge to environmental protection and the jus post bellum framework is the rise in Private Security Companies and other Private Security Service Providers (PSCs). The marked increase in the outsourcing of vast amounts of operational and logistical work to PSCs have caused key issues around PSC oversight, regulation, and concern around civilian protection linked to environmental issues to arise. Using the Iraq (2003–11) and Afghanistan (2001–14) conflicts as examples, this chapter explores the growth of PSCs, their environmental performance, and reviews the adequacy of legal and policy frameworks that regulate PSCs to ensure the provision of adequate environmental protection as part of jus post bellum in order to contribute to sustainable peace. Areas of law explored include international humanitarian law, international human rights law, binding legislation and soft law specific to PSCs, contract litigation, corporate liability, state and non-state actor obligations in respect to PSCs, and shared responsibility.

scholarly journals Drivers and barriers to workplace-based HIV self-testing among high-risk men in Uganda: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patience A. Muwanguzi ◽  
Robert C. Bollinger ◽  
Stuart C. Ray ◽  
LaRon E. Nelson ◽  
Noah Kiwanuka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Private Security ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Private Security Companies ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
Hiv Testing Services ◽  
Security Companies

Abstract Background Men in Sub-Saharan Africa are less engaged than women in accessing HIV testing and treatment and, consequently, experience higher HIV-related mortality. Reaching men with HIV testing services is challenging, thus, increasing the need for innovative ways to engage men with low access and those at higher risk. In this study, we explore men’s perceptions of drivers and barriers of workplace-based HIV self-testing in Uganda. Methods An exploratory study involving men working in private security companies employing more than 50 men in two districts, in central and western Uganda. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were conducted. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results Forty-eight (48) men from eight private security companies participated in 5 focus group discussions and 17 key informant interviews. Of the 48 men, 14(29.2%) were ages 26–35 years. The majority 31(64.6%) were security guards. The drivers reported for workplace-based HIV self-testing included convenience, autonomy, positive influence from work colleagues, the need for alternative access for HIV testing services, incentives, and involvement of employers. The barriers reported were the prohibitive cost of HIV tests, stigma, lack of testing support, the fear of discrimination and isolation, and concerns around decreased work productivity in the event of a reactive self-test. Conclusions We recommend the involvement of employers in workplace-based HIV self-testing to encourage participation by employees. There is need for HIV self-testing support both during and after the testing process. Both employers and employees recommend the use of non-monetary incentives, and regular training about HIV self-testing to increase the uptake and acceptability of HIV testing services at the workplace.

The Players: Humanitarians, Militaries, Industry and Private Security Companies

2009 ◽  
pp. 31-73
Author(s):  
M. Kett ◽  
A. van Tulleken ◽  
Martin C. M. Bricknell ◽  
T. Spicer ◽  
K. Morland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Private Security ◽  
Private Security Companies ◽  
Security Companies

scholarly journals Privatizing war and security in Afghanistan: Future or dead end?

2007 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Giustozzi
Keyword(s):  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Private Security ◽  
Security Forces ◽  
Abusive Behavior ◽  
Private Security Companies ◽  
Dead End ◽  
Military Discipline ◽  
Security Companies

An assessment of the employment of mercenaries in Afghanistan gives mixed results. U.S. armed forces appear to have been happy with the Afghan Security Forces and ad hoc militias and only replaced them because of political reasons or because they felt that they were no longer needed. By contrast, the work of private security companies seems to have satisfied few. While in the short term no practical alternative to their use existed, it is not obvious that this option saves any money to the governments involved in the medium and long-term. Moreover, private security contractors are not subject to the control of military authorities, nor to military discipline. Their record of abusive behavior is indisputable and probably played a significant role in alienating the Afghan public. Unless much changes, the potential of private security companies in peacekeeping does not appear to be a bright one.

scholarly journals Human rights violations committed by private military and security companies: an international law analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 753-766 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elzbieta Karska
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Private Security ◽  
International Community ◽  
Human Rights Violations ◽  
Real Problem ◽  
Security Industry ◽  
Private Security Companies ◽  
Private Security Industry ◽  
International Conventions ◽  
Security Companies

Abstract: This paper is devoted to the growing phenomenon of the private military and security industry with respect to human rights obligations. In the first part, it will analyze the concept of a private security company, which is not clear in national regulations and has few relevant provisions in international conventions. The second part will contain a short description of examples of human rights violations committed by private military and security companies, or with their participation, during service delivery or other forms of activity. The third part of this paper discusses possible methods of responsibility enforcement, with respect to the transnational character of many private security companies involved in human rights violations worldwide. One of the most important elements of the discussion in international community should focus on binding international instrument, preferably a convention, which would be able to establish at least very elementary rules for states and international organizations, responsible for using private military and security companies. The international community has witnessed a lot of initiatives from non-governmental entities, also model laws and self-regulations of the private security industry, but still the real problem has not even been reduced. The number of human rights violations has grown. Keywords: Human rights. Private security companies. Liability.

The uncertain commodity of ‘security’: Are private security companies ‘value for money’ for domestic violence services?

2021 ◽  
pp. 263380762110466
Author(s):  
Diarmaid Harkin
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Private Security ◽  
Expert Advice ◽  
Value For Money ◽  
Target Hardening ◽  
Private Security Companies ◽  
Domestic Violence Services ◽  
Security Companies

Reflecting on Loader and White ’s (2018) suggestion that the labour of private security workers is difficult to ‘commodify’, this paper uses original empirical data to show that there are four elements to what private security workers ‘do’ for victims of domestic violence when contracted by domestic violence advocacy services: they provide (a) practical ‘target-hardening’ measures, (b) ‘expert’ advice on security, (c) forms of ‘security therapy’ as workers talk clients through their safety-based anxieties and (d) forms of ‘security theatre’ as workers provide the appearance of providing security despite the efficacy often being unclear or uncertain. Each of these elements have significant risks that can threaten the interests of victims and domestic violence services.

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