Note by the Secretariat

The Secretariat has the honour to transmit to the Human Rights Council the report of the Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination. The report provides an overview of the findings of a global study conducted from 2013 to 2016 on the national legislation on private military and security companies in 60 States from all the regions of the world. The findings focus on existing regulatory gaps, commonalities and good practices and can provide guidance to Member States and various stakeholders on regulation. Existing regulatory gaps are real indicators that more robust measures are required for stronger protection against human rights violations by private military and security companies. The Working Group reiterates the need for a comprehensive, legally binding instrument to ensure adequate human rights protection within, and of, the industry.