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.
On February 4th, 2026, the Council of Europe officially declared its participation to the Montreux Document, becoming the 4th international organisation to support the initiative
The Council of Europe’s participation to the Montreux Document represents a significant step in strengthening respect for international humanitarian and human rights law in relation to the activities of private military and security companies (PMSCs) worldwide.
As the 4th international organisation to endorse the Montreux Document, the Council of Europe signals its commitment to promoting effective regulation, oversight and accountability of PMSCs. With its strong human rights mandate and the support of its 46 member States, the Council of Europe brings valuable expertise and regional reach that will further strengthen the initiative.
The participation of the Council of Europe will help reinforce the Montreux Document Forum's (MDF) collective capacity to translate shared commitments into practical policies while advancing the national implementation of international norms and good practices. International organisations are indeed key platforms for promoting the Montreux Document initiative, raising awareness on PMSC-related issues and discussing shared challenges at the multilateral level.
The MDF Secretariat looks forward to working closely with the Council of Europe alongside broader MDF participants to continue advancing good private security governance, responsible business practices and respect for international law.
