Use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding
the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination
A/RES/69/163
peoples, the non-use of force or of the threat of use of force in international
relations and non-interference in affairs within the domestic jurisdiction of States,
Reaffirming also that, by virtue of the principle of self-determination, all
peoples have the right freely to determine their political status and to pursue their
economic, social and cultural development and that every State has the duty to
respect this right in accordance with the provisions of the Charter,
Reaffirming further the Declaration on Principles of International Law
concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in accordance with the
Charter of the United Nations, 8
Welcoming the establishment of the open-ended intergovernmental working
group of the Human Rights Council with the mandate of considering the possibility
of elaborating an international regulatory framework, including the option of
elaborating a legally binding instrument on the regulation, monitoring and oversight
of the activities of private military and security companies,
Alarmed and concerned at the danger that the activities of mercenaries
constitute to peace and security in developing countries in various parts of the
world, in particular in areas of conflict,
Deeply concerned at the loss of life, the substantial damage to property and the
negative effects on the policy and economies of affected countries resulting from
international criminal mercenary activities,
Extremely alarmed and concerned about recent mercenary activities in some
developing countries in various parts of the world, including in areas of armed
conflict, and the threat they pose to the integrity of and respect for the constitutional
order of the affected countries,
Convinced that, notwithstanding the way in which mercenaries or mercenaryrelated activities are used or the form that they take to acquire some semblance of
legitimacy, they are a threat to peace, security and the self-determination of peoples
and an obstacle to the enjoyment of all human rights by peoples,
1.
Acknowledges with appreciation the work and contributions of the
Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and
impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination, including its
research activities, and takes note with appreciation of its latest report; 9
2.
Reaffirms that the use of mercenaries and their recruitment, financing,
protection and training are causes for grave concern to all States and violate the
purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations;
3.
Recognizes that armed conflict, terrorism, arms trafficking and covert
operations by third Powers encourage, inter alia, the demand for mercenaries on the
global market;
4.
Urges once again all States to take the steps necessary and to exercise
the utmost vigilance against the menace posed by the activities of mercenaries and
to take legislative measures to ensure that their territories and other territories under
their control, as well as their nationals, are not used for the recruitment, assembly,
financing, training, protection or transit of mercenaries for the planning of activities
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8
9
2/5
Resolution 2625 (XXV), annex.
A/69/338.