Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 28th Feb. UN rights experts on Monday welcomed Armenia’s commitment to curb the use of mercenaries and private security companies after eight-day visit to the country, according to a statement issued in New York.
The members of the UN Working Group on the use of mercenaries called for greater oversight by the Government of Armenia as well as stronger integration of human rights in domestic policies, the statement noted.
The experts said in the statement “Armenia stands out in its efforts to integrate the 1989 UN Convention on Mercenaries in its domestic legislation, specifically in Article 147 of the Criminal Code which provides for a definition of mercenarism in compliance with international law.”
They gathered information on the laws and procedures criminalizing mercenary activities.
They were informed that a regional court applied the legal framework to convict two Syrians charged with fighting with Azerbaijani forces during hostilities in 2020.
Both received life sentences after a May 2021 trial.
The experts noted that the application of the legislation is in its embryonic stage, and they encouraged the judiciary to guarantee that a victim-centered approach is applied in the future.
The Working Group received information on the use of private security companies in Armenia.
“We welcome the amended law on private security activities, which establishes a clear regulatory framework for licensing and operations of private security service providers, including in the monitoring of demonstrations and crowd control,” the group members said.
Armenia has initiated a reform on cyber security.
They urged the authorities to ensure that laws regulated the role of private security in cyber operations is human-rights compliant.
They noted the increased use of private security companies in the mining industry.
The experts voiced concern over the alleged involvement of contractors, in dealing with concerns of local communities.
They strongly recommended to establish an independent oversight mechanism to monitor and oversee the private security sector.
“Regular trainings on the provision of human rights-compliant and gender sensitive security services should be systematically delivered to private security guards,” they added.
The Working Group held meetings in Yerevan, with governmental authorities, NGOs and legal representatives.
They met with affected communities in the southern towns of Kapan and Goris.
The full report with findings and recommendations will be presented to the Human Rights Council in September.
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