UN Experts Call for Urgent Action to Curb Trafficking and Misuse of Arms by Mercenaries

The appeal comes following the presentation of a report by the Working Group on the Use of Mercenaries to the Human Rights Council.

Independent human rights experts have called for concerted efforts and urgent action by states to address the trafficking, proliferation, and misuse of arms by mercenaries, mercenary-related actors, and private military and security companies. The appeal comes following the presentation of a report by the Working Group on the Use of Mercenaries to the Human Rights Council.

The report reveals a disturbing trend: the growing connection between these actors and the trafficking and proliferation of arms. This shift highlights the diversification of warfare dynamics and the increasing availability of various types of weaponry used in conflicts.

“Weapons continue to flow to some of the most brutal armed conflicts today, resulting in egregious harm and human suffering to civilians,” the experts stated. They pointed out that ongoing conflicts undermine peace processes, destabilize regions, and perpetuate severe human rights abuses, including terrorism, arbitrary killings, enforced disappearances, torture, sexual and gender-based violence, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

The report outlines how mercenaries, mercenary-related actors, and private military and security companies are involved in the arms trade through several key mechanisms:

State Sponsorship and Contracting: State-provided arms that are diverted through sponsorship or re-routing.

Diversion from State Stockpiles: Illegal sale or seizure of state arms and munitions.

Criminal Networks: Arms trafficking through illicit brokers, shell companies, and intermediaries.

Illicit Channels: Direct dealings between mercenaries, mercenary-related actors, private military and security companies, and combatants.

The experts emphasized that arms transfers often result in devastating consequences, making the prevention of arms diversion a critical challenge in arms control. They noted that existing regulatory frameworks are insufficiently robust to effectively monitor and prevent such diversion.

“Sadly, the existing regulatory frameworks overseeing this phenomenon still need strengthening to monitor and prevent diversion of arms to mercenaries, mercenary-related actors, and private military and security companies,” the experts said.

The experts stressed the importance of addressing the regulation of military and security services that accompany weapons sales. This includes arms brokers, transportation agents, and the activities of mercenaries and private military and security companies. Strengthening these regulations at domestic, regional, and international levels is seen as a crucial step in mitigating the risks associated with the illicit arms trade and its impact on global conflicts.

The call for action underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to prevent the misuse of arms and protect human rights in conflict zones.

 

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