A/HRC/7/7 page 5 7. Among consultations with a number of other institutions and NGOs, the Working Group held a dialogue with researchers from the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF), and was informed about regulatory efforts of outsourcing military functions and comparative research on experiences in the United States of America and South Africa, and its effects on situations such as in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Business and Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC) presented information regarding PMSCs and impact of their activities on human rights, and has created a thematic section on this issue on the BHRRC website.1 8. The Working Group held a consultation with the International Peace Operations Association (IPOA), a trade association representing some 30 PMSCs. The representative noted the self-regulatory sets of voluntary codes of conduct developed within the industry, which in general would support also further regulation to bring certainty and protection to serious firms. The Working Group emphasized the need for licensing, regulating and monitoring of PMSCs at the national level and for PMSCs to operate in a legal framework consistent with human rights standards. 9. The Working Group considered a number of country situations. Following its deliberations, the Working Group decided to send letters of request, or renewed requests, to visit Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Ghana, Iraq, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, United States of America and Zimbabwe. As to regulatory initiatives and in order to address newer forms of mercenarism and activities of PMSCs, the Working Group agreed in the short term to foster the ratification/accession of Member States to the existing International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries and in the longer-term, to seek support for a process towards an additional protocol to the Convention. On 23 February 2007, the Working Group issued a press release upon concluding its second session.2 B. Field missions 10. The Working Group visited Peru, Fiji and Chile during 2007, and expresses its appreciation for these invitations. While the comprehensive reports of the missions are reflected in the addendums to this annual report, this section provides an overview of the main findings. 11. A delegation of the Working Group, composed of the Chairperson-Rapporteur and one member, visited Peru from 29 January to 2 February 2007.3 The Working Group recommended, 1 See http://www.businesshumanrights.org/Categories/UNintlorgs/UNintergovernmentalorgs/ UN/UNWorkingGrouponuseofmercenaries. 2 See http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/1D59617B2E30442FC125728 E003539CD?opendocument. 3 This report will be issued as an addendum to the present one.