Nicosia: The UN Working Group on the use of mercenaries has arrived in Cyprus for a country visit scheduled from January 16 to 24, 2025. The purpose of the visit is to examine issues related to mercenarism, including actors involved and private military and security companies, with a focus on the maritime sector.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the delegation, consisting of Jovana Jezdimirovic Ranito and Michelle Small, will evaluate the regulatory framework in place to tackle challenges related to mercenaries and identify any good practices that exist. The visit will include consultations with representatives from governmental authorities, UN entities, civil society, non-governmental organizations, the private military and security industry, and other relevant stakeholders.
The delegation’s itinerary includes meetings in Nicosia, Larnaca, and Limassol. At the conclusion of their visit, they will hold a press conference on January 24, 2025, at 13:00 local time at the Home for Co-operation in Nicosia to share preliminary observations.
The findings of the visit will be compiled into a comprehensive report, which the Working Group will present at the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council in September 2025.