Montreux document

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The Montreux Document is a declaration adopted on September 17, 2008 with principles for the treatment of states with private security and military companies . The aim of these recommendations is compliance with international humanitarian law and respect for human rights when using such companies in the context of wars and armed conflicts , as well as regulating the state's responsibility for compliance with these international law provisions by these companies.

The Montreux Document is named after the city of Montreux , the venue of the international conference organized by the Swiss Federal Council at which these recommendations were drawn up and adopted from September 15 to 17, 2008. The final meeting had been preceded by three preparatory meetings since the beginning of 2006. The recommendations contained in the Montreux document are not legally binding as it is not a treaty under international law . Nevertheless, it is the first international declaration on the legal status and obligations of private security and military companies in military disputes. A total of 17 countries were involved in the drafting: Afghanistan , Angola , Australia , China , Germany , France , Great Britain , Iraq , Canada , Austria , Poland , Sweden , Switzerland , Sierra Leone , South Africa , Ukraine and the United States .

The recommendations contained in the Montreux document include, for example, the obligation of companies to carry out security checks on their employees and to train them in international humanitarian law and human rights. In addition, these companies should develop detailed Standard Operating Procedures (work instructions) and Rules of Engagement (operational rules) that are in accordance with national and international legal norms. For the countries of origin, the duty is emphasized to punish violations of the law by employees of such companies accordingly.

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