RES/36/11 Mandate of the open-ended intergovernmental working group to elaborate the content of an international regulatory framework on the regulation, monitoring and oversight of the activities of private military and security companies

GE.17-17712(E)

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Human Rights Council Thirty-sixth session

11–29 September 2017

Agenda item 3

Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 28 September 2017

36/11. Mandate of the open-ended intergovernmental working group

to elaborate the content of an international regulatory

framework on the regulation, monitoring and oversight of the

activities of private military and security companies

The Human Rights Council,

Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,

Recalling General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006, and Human

Rights Council resolution 5/1, on institution-building of the Council, and resolution 5/2, on

the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures Mandate Holders, both of 18 June 2007,

Recalling also Human Rights Council resolution 15/26 of 1 October 2010,

establishing the open-ended intergovernmental working group to consider the possibility of

elaborating an international regulatory framework on the regulation, monitoring and

oversight of the activities of private military and security companies,

Taking note of the recommendations of the first six sessions of the open-ended

intergovernmental working group,

Recognizing the need to protect human rights and ensure accountability for

violations and abuses relating to the activities of private military and security companies,

Noting relevant national, regional and international standards and tools, including

those prepared by various stakeholders,

1. Decides to establish a new open-ended intergovernmental working group, for

a period of three years, with a mandate to elaborate the content of an international

regulatory framework, without prejudging the nature thereof, to protect human rights and

ensure accountability for violations and abuses relating to the activities of private military

and security companies, to be informed by the discussion document on elements for an

international regulatory framework on the regulation, monitoring and oversight of the

activities of private military and security companies, as prepared by the Chair-Rapporteur,

and further inputs from Member States and other stakeholders;

2. Also decides that the working group shall meet for five working days and

submit an annual progress report to the Human Rights Council in conformity with its

annual programme of work;

3. Acknowledges the importance of providing the working group with the

expertise and expert advice necessary to fulfil its mandate, and decides that the working

group shall invite experts and all relevant stakeholders to participate in its work;

4. Invites the contributions of Governments, relevant special procedure mandate

holders and mechanisms of the Human Rights Council, the treaty bodies, regional groups,

intergovernmental organizations, civil society, the industry and other stakeholders with

relevant expertise, including the Co-Chairs of the Montreux Document Forum and the

International Code of Conduct Association;

5. Requests the Secretary-General and the United Nations High Commissioner

for Human Rights to provide the working group with all the financial and human resources

necessary for the fulfilment of its mandate;

6. Decides to remain seized of this important matter.

39th meeting

28 September 2017

[Adopted without a vote.]