Summary

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 visited Armenia from 20 to 27 February 2023. Pursuant to its mandate, the Working Group focused on obtaining first-hand information on the impact of mercenaries, mercenary-related activities, and private military and security companies on human rights in Armenia, and to identify challenges and good practices. In its report, the Working Group focuses on the legislative framework regulating mercenaries’ activities and the operations of private military and security companies, and presents its main findings from its visit. The Working Group welcomes the accession by Armenia to the 1989 International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries, and its willingness to investigate and prosecute the violations and abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law committed by mercenaries and contractors of private military and security companies. The Working Group notes that the domestic framework regulating mercenarism and mercenary activities appears to be in accordance with international law. In the area of private military and security companies, the Working Group considers that Armenia has shown commitment to regulating the activities of private military and security companies that operate domestically.

After outlining its findings, the Working Group makes recommendations with regard to mercenaries, mercenary-related activities and private military and security companies.