A/HRC/39/49 60. The Working Group stresses that reintegration of children who have been associated with armed groups is crucial to ensure long-lasting peace, security and sustainable development in post-conflict societies. Failure to reintegrate this group of children socially and economically into society may increase the risk of re-recruitment of these individuals and can cause substantial economic development issues in the community and society at large. 61. The Working Group encourages Member States to establish mechanisms for the reintegration into society of children who have been associated with armed groups. The reintegration process should include psychosocial and education programmes and vocational training. Specific attention should be paid to girls to address their social and psychological needs. 62. The Working Group encourages States to demonstrate their commitment to protecting children in the context of armed conflict by ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. States are also encouraged to endorse the Principles and Guidelines on Children Associated with Armed Forces or Armed Groups to protect children unlawfully recruited or used by armed forces or armed groups. Recommendations related to private military and security companies 63. Job openings with PMCSs might seem attractive as a potential solution for the reintegration of former child soldiers. The Working Group emphasizes that the re-recruitment of former child soldiers into the security industry does not help to break the cycle of violence. Owing to the nature of the industry, the work environment may trigger children’s memory of the traumatic events they have experienced during their association with the armed group. Thus the Working Group stresses that security-related tasks at private military and security companies should not be considered as primary options for former child soldiers. When there is no alternative solution, administrative, logistics and general supporting service posts at private military security companies could be considered as a last resort to reintegrate former child soldiers. 64. The Working Group notes that, in Switzerland, the Federal Act on Private Security Services Provided Abroad requires all undertakings governed by the Act to declare their activities abroad to the Private Security Services Section and to become a member of the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers. The Working Group encourages Member States to include similar provisions in their domestic legislation. Recommendations related to the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers’ Association and the Montreux Document Forum 65. While the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers clearly requires the commitment from its signatory companies not to hire individuals under the age of 18 to carry out security services, the Working Group emphasizes that the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers’ Association should put in place safeguards to ensure that not only its signatory companies but also all subcontracting companies are in compliance with this requirement. Recommendations related to non-State armed groups 66. The Working Group welcomes the signing of action plans to prevent the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict, concluded between the United Nations and non-State armed groups listed in the annex to the annual report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict regarding the recruitment and use of children. 15