The growth in private military and security companies and the globalized nature of their activities have revealed a clear impunity gap. From traditional mercenaries to government contractors to cyber mercenaries, international law and its institutions have failed to curtail the involvement of private actors in international crimes. The Technology, Law & Policy team is currently investigating the role of private actors in such crimes and analyzing the legal frameworks available for accountability.
News
June 22, 2025
A confidential brief urges the ICC to investigate Wagner’s promotion of atrocities in West Africa
In this image from video posted on a Wagner Group-affiliated Telegram channel in July 2024, men in Burkina Faso military uniforms stand around a dead body lying on the ground as it was cut into pieces. (AP Photo)
July 1, 2025
Prosecuting the Sahel’s War Influencers with Lindsay Freeman
HRC in the News — Lawfare Daily: Prosecuting the Sahel’s War Influencers with Lindsay Freeman, HRC Technology, Law & Policy director.
June 6, 2025
From Incels to Mercenaries: When Online Hate Becomes Real-World Violence
IStockPhoto Commentary in the News — Tech Policy Press: From Incels to Mercenaries: When Online Hate Becomes Real-World Violence, by Ceren Fitoz HRC
June 22, 2025
Takeaways from AP report on Wagner allegedly committing war crimes by promoting atrocities
In this image from video posted on a Wagner Group-affiliated Telegram channel in July 2024, men in Burkina Faso military uniforms stand around a dead body lying on the ground as it was cut into pieces. (AP Photo) (Uncredited/AP)
June 23, 2025
Wagner Group in Belarus (BelTA News Agency, https://shorturl.at/ngypl; CC BY 3.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/) Commentary in the News —
July 17, 2025
Symposium on PMSCs: Who is Responsible? When Private Military Companies Aren’t Completely Private
Commentary in the News — OpinioJuris: Symposium on PMSCs: Who is Responsible? When Private Military Companies Aren’t Completely Private, co-authored by Lindsay Freeman, HRC Technology, Law
February 26, 2025
Terror, Chaos, and Shame: When Information Operations Constitute War Crimes
A craftsman’s house in Mali. Photo by Taguelmoust. Commentary — Articles of War: Terror, Chaos, and Shame: When Information Operations Constitute War Crimes,
Stay Connected
Want to stay up-to-date about this new project? Sign up for our newsletter to get monthly program updates!