Belgium wants to allow private guards; Unions and military reluctant
Courtesy of: Bruxelles2 
The project of the Belgian government to allow private military companies on board merchant vessels transiting through the Indian Ocean does not raise the accession of all the military and further questions from MPs. "The government has put the finger in a gear that will be very dangerous and problematic, despite the strict measures that have been taken," says the union and military defense CGSP (Socialist).
They fear that once approved, private security companies may become economically indispensable, even if piracy disappeared from the Somali coast. With budget cuts in the naval component of the army, "the next government will have no choice but to extend authorizations (private guards), and even multiply [the use]." Ultimately, it is feared that the CGSP budgetary difficulties constitute an argument against the involvement of the Belgian defense in anti-piracy, as the Belgian frigate Louise-Marie is now in the Indian Ocean.
 |
|
Private Security Teams on Belgian Vessels Questioned
(Image courtesy of Vander Felix)
|
One team turned military since 2009
While the government had proposed that merchant ships embark a team for military protection onboard called a VPD (Vessel Protection Detachments), this was three years ago, but this possibility has not once been activated. It is true that there is a certain cost to shipowners - 115,000 euros - and that they prefer to use the services of private security companies. For Defence Minister, Pieter De Crem (CD & V, Flemish Christian Democrat, the problem is one of budgetary priorities ... and as he said in a response to Georges Dallemagne, Senator CDH (Francophone Christian Democrats) early this November, "Unlike the French defense, we do not have equipment, weapons and ammunition in the areas concerned. Transport by air is, therefore, costly so Belgian shipowners require to be able to call private security companies."
Towards legalization of private guards
The Belgian government submitted to the office of the Chamber of Deputies in October, two draft laws authorizing the use of private security guards in a legislative framework. Geographically, their use is strictly limited to the Somali coast and the companies concerned must show their credentials in terms of their personnel, their equipment, or their experience in maritime security.
Subscribe to our newsletter. Receive a weekly round-up of all piracy-related news.
OCEANUSLive.org
Information, Security, Safety; Shared
Submitted by Team@oceanuslive.org