A leading global provider of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) services, Ramora UK has become a signatory to the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers (ICoC).
Representing a significant response to the increased use of commercial organisations to provide security and military services in complex environments, the ICoC is a multi- stakeholder initiative, convened by the Swiss government, and designed to set global standards for private operators based on international humanitarian and human rights law.
The ICoC was initially signed at a ceremony in Geneva in November 2010 by 58 private security companies from 15 countries, all of whom were keen to affirm their responsibility to respect the human rights of everyone affected by their business activities. By 1st February of this year, the number of signatories had risen to 307 companies from 51 countries.
In defining those companies eligible to apply to become signatories, the ICoC refers specifically to those involved in the “guarding and protection of persons and objects, such as convoys, facilities, designated sites, property or other places (whether armed or unarmed)”. So Ramora UK with its proven expertise in ensuring that “you and your assets are safe from explosives” is clearly an organisation that qualifies on grounds of eligibility.
But in addition, Ramora UK is also keen to commit, along with all other signatory companies, to work with a range of stakeholders to establish independent, external mechanisms to ensure effective governance, oversight and accountability within the private security industry.
Notwithstanding the fact that the ICoC is still in the early stages of its development, it is already attracting attention in both national and international forums, Indeed, a number of governments, NGOs and other potential clients have demonstrated their support for the initiative and, in some cases, have made adherence to the code a condition for any future contractual relationship with private security businesses.
“We see the setting up of the ICoC as an issue of great significance for our industry” commented David Welch MIExpE, Managing Director of Ramora UK, “and we are very keen to become fully participating signatories. Beyond the obvious importance of the humanitarian and human rights issues that it raises, becoming a signatory of the ICoC will help to ensure that Ramora UK maintains the reputation for ethical conduct that we have worked so hard to establish.”
