Summary

This report submitted to the Human Rights Council 48^th session examines the increasing role that private military and security companies play in the humanitarian sphere, Working Group sheds light on the extent and nature of private military and security companies’ role in humanitarian action and on the diversity of services offered, including in the contexts of armed conflict, and natural and man-made humanitarian emergencies. The report highlights the impacts of commercialization of humanitarian aid on the humanitarian principles of impartiality, neutrality and operational independence. It addresses the fundamental lack of transparency around, and oversight over, the operations of these private military and security companies, noting the lack of accountability and further stressing that significant regulatory gaps remain.