At a three-day meeting in Montreux, Switzerland, which ended on 16 April, experts from 18 countries agreed that States and also companies and their employees have clear obligations under international humanitarian law when engaged in situations marked by armed conflict. “States must strengthen control over private military and security companies through adequate regulations and other measures, and thus help protect the civilian population in conflict-affected areas,” said Philip Spoerri, director for international law at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).