Can mercenaries become prisoners of war?

A mercenary shall not have the right to be a combatant or a prisoner of war. Mercenaries are defined in the humanitarian law

humanitarian law

International humanitarian law, or jus in bello, is the law that governs the way in which warfare is conducted. IHL is purely humanitarian, seeking to limit the suffering caused. It is independent from questions about the justification or reasons for war, or its prevention, covered by jus ad bellum. Read more.

https://www.icrc.org › war-and-law › jus-in-bello-jus-ad-bellum

Jus in bello - Jus ad bellum

of war as persons who fulfil all of the conditions listed below.

Can mercenaries be legally executed?

[25] Consequently, the summary execution of mercenaries is prohibited. According to this rule, States are free to grant prisoner-of-war status to a mercenary or withhold it, but the mercenary has no right to claim such status as a defence against prosecution.

Can mercenaries be prisoner of war?

Mercenaries are not entitled to the status of combatant, prisoner of war (API Article 47), or any of the categories of protected persons provided for by the Geneva Conventions, unless they are wounded or sick, although they must always benefit from humane treatment.

What is the difference between a prisoner of war and a mercenary?

Generally those entitled to POW status are recognised combatants, namely individuals who take part in the hostilities whilst representing one of the parties to the armed conflict, whether as members of the regular the armed forces or of certain clearly defined groups. Mercenaries do not have the right to POW standing.

Who is not entitled to prisoner of war?

Only military medical and religious personnel are members of armed forces but not combatants and they do not become prisoners-of-war if they fall into the power of the enemy.

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How much do Blackwater mercenaries get paid?

Average Blackwater Security hourly pay ranges from approximately $15.75 per hour for Security Officer to $17.49 per hour for Patrol Officer.

Why did the UN ban mercenaries?

States Parties shall not recruit, use, finance or train mercenaries for the purpose of opposing the legitimate exercise of the inalienable right of peoples to self-determination, as recognized by international law, and shall take, in conformity with international law, the appropriate measures to prevent the recruitment ...

What is the US law on mercenaries?

No U.S. law currently restricts or prohibits U.S. persons from serving in a foreign mercenary force. Only the U.S. government is restricted from hiring mercenaries under what is known as the Anti-Pinkerton Act of 1893.

Does the US use mercenaries?

Many countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, are not signatories to the 1989 United Nations Mercenary Convention banning the use of mercenaries.

What legal status do mercenaries have?

According to the Geneva Convention Protocol 1, mercenaries are defined as “unlawful combatants” and do not, therefore, have the right to be considered combatants or to be taken as prisoners of war.

When did mercenaries become illegal?

By the 20th century, the market for force was defunct. The mid-century surge in underground private warfare prompted Geneva Protocols I and II in 1977 that banned mercenaries. The primary objection is that they were warriors without a state, fighting for money rather than national ideology.

How much do American mercenaries make?

The average mercenary salary in the USA is $75,000 per year or $36.06 per hour. Entry level positions start at $50,000 per year while most experienced workers make up to $100,000 per year.

Are Blackwater mercenaries?

In the book, Scahill contends that Blackwater exists as a mercenary force, and argues that Blackwater's rise is a consequence of the demobilization of the US military following the Cold War and its overextension in Iraq and Afghanistan.

What is the biggest mercenary company in the world?

Currently Blackwater (Xe Services LLC, Academi) is the largest organization of its kind in the world. The company has a headquarters located in North Carolina.

Are mercenaries rich?

Some mercenaries make $500 to $1,500 per day. Interrogators are rumored to make up to $14,000 per week. The salary ranges from $89,000 to $250,000 per year. Employer, experience, expertise, specialty, location, and danger potential ultimately determine the paycheck.

How are mercenaries treated if captured?

If, after a regular trial, a captured soldier is found to be a mercenary, then he can expect treatment as a common criminal and may face execution. As mercenary soldiers may not qualify as PoWs, they cannot expect repatriation at war's end.

What are the disadvantages of using mercenaries?

Adamu, however, said the major disadvantage of the mercenaries is abuse of local and international laws because they are not bound by any rules beyond their contracting terms or sometimes, financial obligations. “They could be used for espionage and other subversive activities.

Are mercenaries legal under international law?

One of the six requirements is that the person must be motivated by a “desire for private gain.” The United States' position, as detailed in the U.S. Defense Department Law of War Manual, is that being a mercenary is not a crime under international law.

How much does a Russian mercenary make?

The pay of Wagner private military contractors (PMCs), who are usually retired regular Russian servicemen aged between 35 and 55, is estimated to be between 80,000 and 250,000 Russian rubles a month (667–2,083 USD). One source stated the pay was as high as 300,000 (US$2,500).

Who currently owns Blackwater?

It was renamed Xe Services in 2009, and was again renamed Academi in 2011 after it was acquired by a group of private investors. In 2014, Academi merged with Triple Canopy, a subsidiary of Constellis Group. Later, Academi was fully integrated into the parent company, and now operates under the name Constellis.

How do I become a mercenary without military experience?

What is a Blackwater mercenary?

Government Contracts

During the war in Iraq, Blackwater was one of several private security companies use to guard officials, security guards, and military installations, train the Iraqi army and police forces, and provide other support for armed forces.

Can a civilian become a mercenary?

Mercenaries are usually former military personnel who take on war combat jobs. Most western nations, including the US, have laws that prevent their citizens from acting as mercenaries.

How do you become a Blackwater mercenary?

As a minimum each guard receives 80 hours of basic training and 40 hours of firearms training. Basic Training: Before assigning an employee to a Department of State contract, each private security company shall have the employee satisfactorily complete a program of basic training approved by the U.S. Government.