Legal Accountability of State Department Private Security Contractors in Iraq

Abstract

This project focuses on addressing the jurisdictional loophole for private security contractors employed by the U.S. Department of State. In Iraq, the United States has approximately the same number of civilian contractors as it does soldiers. Without civilian contractor support, agencies like State could not effectively execute their missions. As the military begins to transition out of Iraq in 2011, State will hire more civilian contractors. Private security contractors are a subset of civilian contractors who provide protection to convoys, guard embassies and consulates, and act as the personal security detail for diplomats. Like the military, PSCs carry weapons and use deadly force. Just like the military, they have committed (and will likely continue to commit) crimes in Iraq. In terms of legal accountability, there is a big difference between the military and PSCs.