Legislation

that will be submitted to the Iraqi parliament would end immunity for private security contractors and make them subject to Iraqi law. The former Coalition Provisional Authority’s Order 17 currently keeps contractors in a legal bubble, making prosecution next to impossible.

BBC:

A spokesman for the Iraqi interior ministry, Maj-Gen Abdul Kareem Khalaf, said the new guidelines would cover everything to do with the operations of private security contractors.

“The companies will come under the grip of Iraqi law, will be monitored by the interior ministry and will work under its guidelines,” he said.

“They will be strictly punished for any [violations] on the street.”

Read more

 Wait, before you go…

If you're reading this, you probably already know that non-profit, independent journalism is under threat worldwide. Independent news sites are overshadowed by larger heavily funded mainstream media that inundate us with hype and noise that barely scratch the surface. We believe that our readers deserve to know the full story. Truthdig writers bravely dig beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that tells you what’s really happening and who’s rolling up their sleeves to do something about it.

Like you, we believe a well-informed public that doesn’t have blind faith in the status quo can help change the world. Your contribution of as little as $5 monthly or $35 annually will make you a groundbreaking member and lays the foundation of our work.

Support Truthdig