EU Statement – UN General Assembly 3rd Committee: Interactive dialogue on the sse of Mercenaries

Thank you, Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

I would like to thank the Chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group Ms Jezdimirovic Ranito for presenting the report of the Working Group to highlight the evolving trends and manifestations in the use of mercenaries, mercenary-related actors and private military and security companies as proxies, enablers and facilitators by States, non-State actors and other actors.

The European Union recalls its position that the actions of mercenaries, a category specifically defined in international law, should not be confused with the activities of private military and private security companies. We continue to call for a significant change in the mandate of the Working group to focus more clearly on mercenaries, which would provide a more effective framework to progress its work.

The European Union condemns the recruitment, use, financing and training mercenaries and mercenary-related actors acting proxies, enablers and facilitators by States, non-State actors and other actors where such conduct undermines international peace and security and violates international human rights law and international humanitarian law. We call on all of the above to respect for their obligations under international law, including the respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The European Union continues to advocate for justice and to support efforts to hold to account all those involved in serious human rights abuses and serious violations of international humanitarian law in various parts of the world,. 

Rapporteur,

What do you see as the time frame for implementation of your recommendations?

Thank you.