A forum for participants of the Montreux Document on pertinent international legal obligations and good practices for states related to operations of private military and security companies during armed conflict.
From an initial 17 states in 2008, the number of Montreux Document participants has more than tripled. Outreach efforts have been important and support for the Montreux Document continues to grow, including in the African region.
Madagascar participated in the Regional Conference on the Montreux Document held in Dakar, Senegal, in June 2014. This conference gathered 16 states and was organized jointly by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, the Government of Senegal, in cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Centre des hautes études du défense et securité (CHEDS) of Senegal, and the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF).
A follow-up round table to discuss further with the Malagasy authorities was held on 18 June 2015 in the capital Antananarivo. This initiative was undertaken by the National International Humanitarian Law Committee and supported by the ICRC and the Swiss embassy for Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles.
Much remains to be done to increase support for the Montreux Document in different world regions, notably in the Asia Pacific region, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Promoting further support for the Montreux Document is one of the main objectives of the Montreux Document Forum, which could be pursued by all Montreux Document participants and in particular, by the Group of Friends of the Chair.
By adding its voice to the Montreux Document Forum, Madagascar can contribute significantly to increase respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights law, wherever PMSCs are present.
