Summary

In the present report, 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 aims to fill a knowledge gap amongst States and other relevant stakeholders, by providing a stocktaking of the current legal, human rights, and international humanitarian law frameworks in relation to mercenaries, mercenary-related actors, and private military and security companies.

In doing so, the present report maps the trends around the contemporary use of mercenaries, and violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.  Furthermore, the report provides a comprehensive overview and analysis of the international and regional legal frameworks regulating the recruitment, financing, training, and use of mercenaries, with a view to strengthening the applicability and enforceability of international law.

During the preparation of the present report, the Working Group was composed of Ravindran Daniel (Chair), Sorcha MacLeod, Chris Kwaja and Carlos Salazar Couto. Sorcha MacLeod acted as the main drafter of the report.

The Working Group thanks those individuals and organisations who contributed to and assisted with the writing of this report.