The UN Working Group on the use of mercenaries is in Cyprus to conduct a country visit from 16 to 24 January 2025.
A UN press release said the visiting delegation, comprising of Jovana Jezdimirovic Ranito and Michelle Small, will assess challenges related to mercenarism, mercenary-related actors and private military and security companies, with particular focus on the maritime sector. It will also assess the existing regulatory framework to address these challenges and any existing good practice.
The delegation will meet with representatives from governmental authorities, UN entities, civil society, non-governmental organisations, the private military and security industry, and other relevant stakeholders. It will hold meetings in Nicosia, Larnaca and Limassol.
At the end of the visit, the delegation will hold a press conference to share their preliminary observations on Friday 24 January 2025, at 13:00 local time at the Home for Co-operation, in Nicosia.
The Working Group will present a full report of its visit at the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council in September 2025.