Montreux Document - a process aimed at governments
The Montreux Document on Private Military and Security Companies is an inter-state document. It describes how international law, in particular international humanitarian law and human rights law, applies to private military and security companies (PMSCs) when these are present in armed conflict. It is the result of a joint initiative launched by Switzerland and the International Committee of the Red Cross in 2006. After various rounds of discussions, 17 states jointly finalised the document at a meeting in Montreux, Switzerland, on 17 September 2008. Civil society and industry were consulted during the drafting. Since its release, another 35 states have expressed their support for the document (as of June 2015). This brings the total to 52 countries. The European Union has also joined the document.
The Montreux Document expresses the view of participant states that there is no legal vacuum for the activities of PMSCs in areas of armed conflict. The document is not legally binding in itself, but refers to existing international law with the intention to clarify obligations and to promote respect for international humanitarian law and human rights law.
The document is divided into two parts: pertinent international legal obligations relating to PMSCs and good practices relating to PMSCs. In the first part, obligations of different actors under international humanitarian law and human rights law are outlined. These actors include contracting states, territorial states, home states, PMSCs and their personnel and superiors. Furthermore, state responsibility for private conduct under international customary law is addressed.
In the second part, some 70 "best practices" are outlined. These are formulated as recommendations directed at states and are largely based on state regulations in relation to PMSCs and/or armed forces. The scope of the best practices ranges from contracting and authorisation of PMSCs to ensuring prosecution of PMSC personnel in case of serious breaches of law.
In December 2014 the Montreux Document Forum was established as a platform for participants to share & discuss good practices and challenges regarding the regulation of PMSCs.
A complementary Global Code of Conduct for the security industry has been developed. For further information on this initiative click here.
A selection of key reports on the Montreux Document is accessible below.
For further reports & articles, see the Resource Centre’s general section on the Montreux Document under the title "Swiss government & ICRC initiative on private military & security companies".
Official website & document
[Español] Documento de Montreux
[Français] Initiative de Montreux
Reports and commentaries
- Le Document de Montreux rappelle la responsabilité des états en cas de violation des droits de l’homme par les employés des entreprises militaires et de sécurité privées, ATS (Agence Télégraphique Suisse), 11 décembre 2013
- Montreux+5 conference discusses regulation of security companies to comply with intl. humanitarian & human rights law, Intl. Committee of the Red Cross, 10 Dec 2013
- Report from regional workshop for Latin America on Montreux document on private military & security companies (12-13 May 2011), Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF), 2011
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Regional workshop on the Montreux Document on private military & security companies to raise awareness in Latin America about the Document. Hosted by the Swiss and Chilean governments, and supported by DCAF and the Global Consortium for Security Transformation (GCST) - 12-13 May 2011, Santiago, Chile
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Regulating Private Military and Security Companies: The Content, Negotiation, Weaknesses and Promise of the Montreux Document
James Cockayne, 2008
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Amnesty International Public Statement on the Montreux Document in Pertinent International Obligations and Good Practices for States related to the Operations of Private Military and Security Companies during Armed Conflict
Amnesty International USA, 14 Oct 2008
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Busting the Unaccountability Myth
David Isenberg, 10 Oct 2008
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Governments acknowledge duty to control private military and security companies
International Committee of the Red Cross, 19 Sep 2008
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IPOA Welcomes Montreux Agreement on Private Security Companies
International Peace Operations Association, 17 Sep 2008
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States reach agreement on controlling private security companies
Xinhua, 18 Sep 2008
[Español]
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Informe del seminario regional para América Latina sobre el Documento de Montreux acerca de las empresas militares y de seguridad privadas (12-13 mayo 2011)
Centro para el Control Democrático de las Fuerzas Armadas de Ginebra (DCAF), 2011 -
Los Gobiernos reconocen la obligación de controlar a las empresas militares y de seguridad privadas
Comité Internacional de la Cruz Roja, 19 septiembre 2008
[Français]
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Les gouvernements reconnaissent l’obligation qu’ils ont de contrôler les compagnies militaires et de sécurité privées
Comité International de la Croix-Rouge, 23 septembre 2008 -
Suisse – CICR : Les Entreprises militaires privées en activité dans les zones de conflit du monde, dorénavant soumises à un contrôle international
Xinhua, Casafree.com, 18 septembre 2008
Related stories and components
Madagascar becomes 53rd state to support the Montreux Document on obligations of private military & security companies
Author: Intl. Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
A round table to present the Montreux Document to the Malagasy authorities was held on 18 June 2015 in the capital Antananarivo...The Montreux Document summarizes the international legal obligations applicable to private military and security...
- Related in-depth areas: Latest news on conflict & peace Montreux Document - a process aimed at governments
Montreux Document participants establish the Montreux Document Forum
Author: Intl. Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
"Private military and security companies: Implementation of Montreux document"...
- Related in-depth areas: Montreux Document - a process aimed at governments
Commentary on new international security operations management standard & human rights
Author: Rebecca DeWinter-Schmitt (American University Washington College of Law) for Private Security Monitor
"A New Twist to Management Standards, Bringing in Human Rights", June 2014...
Author: ATS (Agence Télégraphique Suisse)
Le Document de Montreux est un succès, mais il faut gagner l'adhésion de l'Afrique, a déclaré Didier Burkhalter…devant la Conférence internationale Montreux+5. Ce texte lancé par la Suisse en 2008 décrit le droit international applicable aux activités...
- Related in-depth areas: Dernières infos « conflits et paix » Montreux Document - a process aimed at governments
Privatization of war: Montreux+5 Conference
Author: Intl. Committee of the Red Cross
The Montreux+5 Conference will be an opportunity for States and international organizations to share experiences on regulating private military and security companies and look at how to promote the Montreux document on the operations of such companies...
Author: Centro para el Control Democrático de las Fuerzas Armadas de Ginebra (DCAF)
El 12 y 13 de Mayo del 2011, se convoco un seminario en Santiago, Chile para discutir el Documento de Montreux sobre las Obligaciones Internacionales Pertinentes a las Buenas Practicas de los Estados respecto a las Operaciones de Empresas Militares y...
[PDF] The Montreux Document on Private Military and Security Companies: Proceedings of the Regional Workshop for Latin America
Author: Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF)
On the 12th and 13th of May 2011 a workshop was held in Santiago, Chile, to discuss the “Montreux Document on Pertinent International Legal Obligations and Good Practices for States related to Operations of Private Military and Security Companies...
- Related stories: Report from regional workshop for Latin America on Montreux document on private military & security companies (12-13 May 2011)
- Related in-depth areas: Latest news on conflict & peace Montreux Document - a process aimed at governments
- Related companies: BP DynCorp Forza (part of Securitas) Securitas
Regulating Private Military and Security Companies: The Content, Negotiation, Weaknesses and Promise of the Montreux Document
Author: James Cockayne, Journal of Conflict and Security Law
On 17 September 2008, 17 states…endorsed the ‘Montreux Document’ affirming the legal obligations and describing good practices…related to operations of private military and security companies…[The author] provide[s] an overview of the Montreux...
- Related in-depth areas: Academic Montreux Document - a process aimed at governments
Amnesty International Public Statement on the Montreux Document on Pertinent International Legal Obligations and Good Practices for States related to the Operations of Private Military and Security Companies during Armed Conflict
Author: Amnesty International USA
The Montreux Document…contains many useful elements, particularly in the Good Practices section. However, there are also a number of substantive gaps…particularly in relation to the international law section, if the text is to be effective…The...
- Related in-depth areas: Montreux Document - a process aimed at governments NGO
Busting the Unaccountability Myth
Author: David Isenberg, United Press International
[O]n Sept. 17 that the "Montreux Document" was released…The document is divided into two sections. The first highlights existing international laws with which such companies should comply…The second lists some 70 "good practices"…These include:...
- Related in-depth areas: Montreux Document - a process aimed at governments