Event information

9 April 2025, 13:00-14:00

Reflections on the open-ended intergovernmental working group outcomes and the potential for developing a Commentary

Event

This side-event, co-organised with the University of Copenhagen Faculty of Law and TRIAL International, will examine the Revised Fourth Draft Instrument on Private Military and Security Companies (PMSCs), assessing its strengths, gaps, and alignment with international frameworks. It will also explore challenges in ensuring accountability, potential improvements, and the feasibility of developing a commentary to guide its interpretation and implementation.

Outline


The Human Rights Council established an open-ended intergovernmental working group, 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 (PMSCs). Over the years, the working group has released several draft instruments, with the most recent being the Revised Fourth Draft Instrument, published in March 2025. As discussions continue on the legal and practical implications of the draft instrument, there is an emerging need to reflect on its strengths, gaps, and areas requiring further refinement.

This event aims to:

  • Assess the current draft of the PMSCs instrument, identifying its strengths and potential areas for improvement.
  • Analyze the relationship between the PMSCs draft instrument and other existing regulations, including international frameworks on mercenaries, transnational corporations, and human rights accountability.
  • Identify challenges and opportunities in ensuring accountability for human rights violations involving PMSCs.
  • Explore the feasibility of developing a commentary to the Draft Instrument on PMSCs and its potential impact on implementation and interpretation, and define its scope and content.

Speakers

  • Prof. Anita Ramasastry, Henry M. Jackson Professor of Law and Director of the Sustainable International Development Graduate Program, University of Washington School of Law
  • Dr. Sorcha MacLeod, PI MERCURY Project & Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Copenhagen
  • Chiara Gabriele, Head of Program - Accountability for PMSAs, TRIAL International

Moderator

  • Florence Foster, Senior Project Manager, Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights

 

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

Human Rights Tiles News

From Signals to Action: Strengthening the UN's Conflict Prevention Efforts

31 March 2025

Our recent research brief series explores how the United Nations' human rights system can enhance its role in early warning and conflict prevention.

Read more

neurotech image News

Human Rights Concerns in Neurotechnology Examined in New Research Brief

15 April 2025

Our research brief 'Neurotechnology - Integrating Human Rights in Regulation' examines the human rights challenges posed by the rapid development of neurotechnology.

Read more

Universal Declaration of Human Rights Booklet Training

The International Human Rights Standards and System: Monitoring and Implementation Strategies at the National Level

7-11 July 2025

This training course will delve into the means and mechanisms through which national actors can best coordinate their human rights monitoring and implementation efforts, enabling them to strategically navigate the UN human rights system and use the various mechanisms available in their day-to-day work.

Read more

Training

Human Rights and the Environment: Introducing Legal Regimes and Key Issues

1-8 September 2025

Participants in this training course will be introduced to the major international and regional instruments for the promotion of human rights, as well as international environmental law and its implementation and enforcement mechanisms.

Read more

Session of the UN Human Rights Committee Project

Treaty Body Review 2020 and Beyond

Started in January 2018

The Geneva Human Rights Platform contributes to this review process by providing expert input via different avenues, by facilitating dialogue on the review among various stakeholders, as well as by accompanying the development of a follow-up resolution to 68/268 in New York and in Geneva.

Read more

Cover of the publication Publication

Briefing N° 25: Localizing Multilateralism

published on March 2025

Domenico Zipoli, Ludovica Chiussi Curzi, Kamelia Kemileva

Read more