It is precisely the existence of loopholes and legal ambiguities that has facilitated the use of mercenaries and of companies engaged in mercenary activities, without any effective legal action being taken against those who hire mercenaries or against mercenaries themselves.

The fact that a Government hires mercenaries, or specialized firms providing mercenary services, to defend it and to strengthen its position in an armed conflict must not be invoked to claim that such acts are legal.

Here too, the intent to employ mercenaries or to turn an individual into a mercenary is obvious.

Formal condemnations of mercenarism have not succeeded in preventing recourse to mercenaries, or to companies of dubious legality and legitimacy.

The Act defined mercenary activity as direct participation as a combatant in armed conflict for private gain and drew a distinction between mercenary activity and the legitimate provision of military assistance.

The United Nations could tap into these to reinforce the international legal structures against mercenary activity Legislation on mercenaries should not just be punitive but must also attempt to close the loopholes in regard to how mercenaries acquire arms.

Convinced that, notwithstanding the way in which mercenaries or mercenary related activities are used or the form they take to acquire some semblance of legitimacy, they are a threat to peace, security and the self determination of peoples and an obstacle to the enjoyment of human rights by peoples,

Resort to a range of offences for which mercenaries could be held liable under criminal law codes pointed to the absence of specific legal measures on mercenaries.

Furthermore, no provision is usually made for the extradition of mercenaries, and this makes it easier for them to commit crimes with impunity.

That could provide a loophole for mercenaries.

B. International legislation and changes in mercenary activities

126. The united front presented by the action taken by the international community against mercenary activities is affected by the toleration of legal gaps and inadequacies which are used to conceal mercenary activities and even to endorse the recruitment and employment of mercenaries, on the grounds that, in some cases, it is not illegal to make use of such means.

Who hired you for this?

117. Because mercenary activities and the conduct of the mercenary himself can seriously impair the enjoyment of human rights, the self determination of peoples, the stability of constitutionally established Governments and international peace and security, mercenary activities and the mercenary career must be clearly and unequivocally banned.

Article 16 deals with the responsibility of legal persons for crimes committed on their behalf and in their interest by any of their employees, with whom such legal persons shall be jointly and severally responsible in respect of financial penalties imposed.

The CIS was in the process of drafting a model law on mercenarism, which would serve as a regional convention on mercenaries, although it would be structured and worded as a national law.

With particular regard to Afghanistan, mercenaries fell into several categories, including those working for private companies, those in the pay of warlords, and those involved in drug trafficking in the highly lucrative illegal poppy cultivation market.

III. MERCENARY ACTIVITIES

An individual who really was, in practice, a mercenary could, for instance, invoke some of these flawed legal criteria to avoid being characterized as such.

The definition identified a mercenary, but did not refer to companies which were mercenary in nature.

A mercenary can, without ceasing to be a mercenary, also become a terrorist.

You doin' the hiring'?

They hired us.

Convinced that, notwithstanding the way in which they are used or the form that they take to acquire some semblance of legitimacy, mercenaries or mercenary related activities are a threat to peace, security and the self determination of peoples and an obstacle to the enjoyment of human rights by peoples,

To counter mercenarism on the continent, a combination of international, regional and national legislation is required which specifically target mercenarism.

In such cases, even through the nationals were hired and paid, international law as it now stands would not allow the act to be defined as mercenary.

B. International legislation and changes in mercenary activities 80 91 25

43. Mr. Welch also said that a provision of South African law on the prohibition of mercenary activities was contained in section 121 A of the 1957 Defence Act (Act No. 44 of 1957) which prohibits the members of the South African Defence Force and reserve and auxiliary members of that Force from serving as mercenaries or providing services as mercenaries.

Given the legal gaps and inadequacies which allow the existence of mercenaries whose activities could be passed off as normal, it is recommended that the Commission should propose that the Member States of the United Nations should consider adopting legislation to prohibit mercenary activity and the use of the national territory for such unlawful acts.

At the international level, efforts should be made to solve technical and legislative problems relating to mercenaries, starting with the limitations of the definition of mercenary .

We also prosecute employers who are found to have acted in breach of the Employment Ordinance.

Why should I hire Tom?

but we hire men to do it for us.

I guess they weren't hired.

It is difficult for them to find time for personal and leisure activities.

Legislation on mercenaries should not just be punitive, but must also attempt to close the loopholes in regard to how mercenaries acquire arms.

The report and the proposed legal definition of a mercenary should encapsulate the general problem of mercenarism as well as its more specific regional aspects.

With respect to mercenary activities, Malaysia was very concerned with the statement, if it was true, that States were patronizing the services of mercenaries for illegitimate purposes.

Convinced that, notwithstanding the way in which they are used or the form that they take to acquire some semblance of legitimacy, mercenaries or mercenary related activities are a threat to peace, security and the self determination of peoples and an obstacle to the enjoyment of human rights by peoples,

Convinced that, notwithstanding the way in which they are used or the form that they take to acquire some semblance of legitimacy, mercenaries or mercenary related activities are a threat to peace, security and the self determination of peoples and an obstacle to the enjoyment of all human rights by peoples,

Convinced that, notwithstanding the way in which they are used or the form that they take to acquire some semblance of legitimacy, mercenaries or mercenary related activities are a threat to peace, security and the self determination of peoples and an obstacle to the enjoyment of all human rights by peoples,

When, and in what circumstances, should the recruitment, financing or use of mercenaries be considered legal and legitimate?

Other experts felt that that was a fair characterization of mercenary activity.

Referring only to mercenary individuals allowed a mercenary company to operate without liability.

Misha Glenny Hire the hackers!