Mr. President,
The accelerated development of digital technologies is multiplying the ways in which mercenaries are recruited, organized and financed, both online and offline.
The use of “cyber mercenaries” and other forms of technology-enabled mercenarism is increasing, without effective legal and regulatory frameworks in place to address this phenomenon.
The human rights implications of this trend are concerning.
Cuba supports the elaboration and adoption of a legally binding international instrument to comprehensively regulate the activities of private military and security companies, ensuring accountability, access to remedy for victims, and respect for international law.
We support the Secretary-General, in cooperation with the Working Group of the Council on the use of mercenaries, conducting a global study on the evolution of practices concerning mercenaries, mercenary-related actors, and private military and security companies, as well as their consequences for human rights.
The Cuban delegation will present, during this session of the Council, a draft resolution on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination.
We call upon all delegations, civil society organizations and other stakeholders to actively and constructively participate in the consultations, and to co-sponsor and support this resolution.
Thank you.