54th Session UNHRC: Intervention by Ms. Luce Plaid (Research Analyst EFSAS) on use of Mercenaries
19-09-2023, Geneva
Text and video of Ms. Luce Plaid's Intervention on the use of Mercenaries (Item 3: Interactive dialogue with the Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination) during the 54th Session of the UN Human Rights Council.
Video of Ms. Luce Plaid's Intervention on use of Mercenaries during the 54th Session of the UN Human Rights Council.
"Mr. Vice President,
Pakistan continues to openly recruit mercenaries and terrorist organizations to pursue its own interests and political agenda in South Asia.
Among the list of UN-designated terrorist entities present on Pakistani soil, the most prominent terrorists groups supported by the military are the Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad. While officially banned, they continue to flourish within Pakistan's borders underthe aegis of the Pakistani army.
In a geopolitical context where the fight for influence is deliberately played out at a level preventing armed conflict, mercenaries are an instrument increasingly favored by States, giving them greater latitude for action abroad. The use of these proxy forces exacerbates the risk of violations of human rights and undermines humanitarian principles.
When the international community applies pressure, Pakistan has a history of choosing subterfuge over sincerity. The removal of Pakistan from the FATF Grey List should not make us less vigilant towards a nation whose record of protecting its own citizens from terrorism is appalling.
Mr. Vice President,
The gravity of the situation and the impunity with which the Pakistani Army operates,demands that this Council steps in by implementing all the punitive measures at its disposal.
Thank you".
