Briefing: Draft Charter for the Oversight Mechanism of the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers (ICoC)

Organized by the Geneva Academy of international humanitarian law and human rights (Academy) and The Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF)

07.02.2012, Tuesday, from 14.15h – 15.45h
Villa Moynier (Academy), Rue Lausanne 120B, 1211 Geneva

With participation of:

• Andrew Clapham, Director of the Geneva Academy of international humanitarian law and human rights (Academy)
• Rémy Friedmann, Desk Human Security and Business, Political Division IV, Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
• Nils Melzer, University of Zurich, Civil Society Representative in the Temporary Steering Committee of the ICoC
• Anne-Marie Buzatu, Privatisation of Security Programme Manager, Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF)

The purpose of the meeting is to provide an overview of what the oversight mechanism proposed by the draft charter seeks to do, and set-out opportunities for engage in the run up to, and upon, its establishment.

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Background
The ICoC initiative aims to raise the professional standards and accountability of Private Security Companies (PSCs) working in complex environments around the world. In November 2010, 58 PSCs signed the ICOC. Since then a total of 266 companies from 47 countries have signed up to the ICoC. The ICoC is open for signature by PSCs, and governments and non-state clients such as humanitarian organisations, international organisations, non-governmental organizations and private companies have made supportive policy statements and publicly stated an intent to incorporate the ICoC in  future service contracts with PSCs.   A multi-stakeholder Steering Committee with representatives from governments, industry and civil society, established after the signing of the ICoC, is taking the process to a second stage by developing a charter for a permanent ICoC governance mechanism. The governance mechanism will be vested with various authorities and responsibilities, including certification of member companies’ compliance with the ICoC, auditing and monitoring of their work in the field, reporting requirements and a mechanism to address alleged violations of the ICoC. The Temporary Steering Committee has now circulated a draft charter and accompanying explanatory note. The charter is open for public comment and consultation until March 16, 2012.

More information on the ICoC, as well as the Draft Charter, can be found at www.icoc-psp.org

For questions related to the briefing on the 7th of February, please contact Thomas Haueter Cette adresse email est protégée contre les robots des spammeurs, vous devez activer Javascript pour la voir. 022 741 77 86 or Kamelia Kemileva Cette adresse email est protégée contre les robots des spammeurs, vous devez activer Javascript pour la voir. 022 908 44 85.