Training of mercenaries

77. Although the International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries was adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 44/34 of 4 December 1989, nearly 11 years ago, it has still not entered into force. Nevertheless, 21 States have already either ratified or acceded to it. This means that it requires ratification or accession by only one more State to enter into force. That fact is significant in itself since it would provide mankind with yet another international instrument for the protection of human rights.

78. Despite the objections to the definition contained in article 1, the Special Rapporteur believes that the prompt entry into force of the International Convention would make it easier to improve this important instrument. It could be the starting point for efforts to address recent mercenary activities that have remained unpunished. The International Convention would facilitate preventive cooperation among States, better identification of situations involving mercenaries and the clear determination of jurisdiction in each case, procedures for the extradition of mercenaries and the effective prosecution and punishment of offenders.

79. As noted above, 21 States have already completed the formal process of expressing their willingness to be bound by the International Convention. Those States are: Azerbaijan, Barbados, Belarus, Cameroon, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Italy, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Maldives, Mauritania, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Suriname, Togo, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uruguay and Uzbekistan. Nine other States have signed the International Convention but have not yet ratified it. They are: Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Germany, Morocco, Nigeria, Poland, Republic of the Congo, Romania and Yugoslavia.

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