HRC57 Interactive dialogue with 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[...]

Interactive dialogue with 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

12 September 2024

EU statement

Mr President,

We thank the Working Group for its report on arms transfers and mercenarism.

The European Union remains deeply concerned at the proliferation of serious violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law committed by mercenaries. These violations and abuses involve war crimes, the looting of natural resources, and the intimidation, torture and killing of civilians. We are also concerned about the actions of the Wagner Group, which continues to play a destabilising role in various parts of the world.

The EU's overall regulatory framework on arms transfers sets out eight criteria that EU Member States must consider before authorizing arms exports. The seventh criterion is related to the risk of diversion. It aims at ensuring that military technology or equipment does not fall into the wrong hands.

In assessing the impact of the military technology or equipment to be exported on the recipient country and the risk that such technology or equipment might be diverted, the EU regulatory framework specifies a number of elements to be considered. These include the "risk of such technology or equipment being re-exported to undesirable destinations"; "the record of the recipient country in respecting any re-export provision or consent prior to re-export"; and "the risk of such technology or equipment being diverted to terrorist organisations or to individual terrorists".

Furthermore, EU member states conduct end-use monitoring to ensure that exported arms reach their intended recipients. This takes the form of end-user certificates (EUCs), which identify the authorized recipient and final use of the arms, and post-shipment verification, where authorities may track the arms after export to verify that they are being used according to the agreed terms.

Mr Chair,

What more can be done to break the cycle of armament, violence and civilian suffering?

I thank you.

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