UN HRC Side Event: Safeguarding Human Rights in complex environments

You are warmly invited to join us for a side event at the 60th Session of the Human Rights Council co organized by the UN Working Group on the Use of Mercenaries and TRIAL International.

Safeguarding Human Rights in complex environments: Addressing the use of military and security enterprises in protection, exploitation and conservation of natural resources

Date: Friday, 19 September 2025
Time: 2:00 – 3:00 PM
Location: Room III, Palais des Nations, Geneva / Hybrid*

About the Event

The extractive industries (oil, gas, and mining) as well as agribusinesses became increasingly reliant on PMSCs and other actors providing security to protect their operations. While states and corporate actors argue that they fill critical security gaps, they often operate in opaque environments, especially in conflict-affected and fragile settings. These contexts have seen a marked increase in human rights violations, including threats and violence against communities, arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearances and other serious human rights violations – including against the environment.

Too often, these violations are committed with impunity. Victims—frequently Indigenous communities, land and environmental defenders, and civilian populations—are left without recourse. As global calls for business accountability and human rights due diligence grow louder, regulation of private security providers and client companies must be strengthened and implemented to fill the impunity gap.

Key Themes

• Mapping the landscape: Use of private security providers in the exploitation and protection of natural resources
• Human rights abuses: Documented patterns and impacts on communities
• Regulatory voids and jurisdictional challenges
• Best practices for oversight and corporate accountability
• The role of the UN and member states in setting enforceable standards

Speakers

• JovanaJezdimirovic Ranito, Chairperson-Rapporteur, UN Working Group on the Use of Mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the rights of peoples to self-determination
• Chiara Gabriele, Head of Program – Accountability for PMSAs, TRIAL International
• Jamie Williamson, Executive Director, International Code of Conduct Association
• Freddy Kasongo, Executive Secretary, Observatoire d’Etudes et d’Appui à la Responsabilité Sociale et Environnementale
• Hans Merket, Researcher and Policy Manager, International Peace Information Service

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* RSVP: Please confirm your participation by 18.09.2025 by registering here.

💻 Click here to access the event online I 🔑 password : AXmRcD2BJ38

📍 For in person participation: please find information on accreditation here.