A/HRC/18/32 eliminating impunity. The Working Group suggested that Governments in countries where private military and security companies operate investigate, disarm and prosecute any such companies operating without the necessary licenses, and investigate all reported cases of incidents involving casualties committed by them, to prosecute perpetrators and provide victims with an effective remedy. 41. The Working Group found that countries in which private military and security companies were established also faced significant challenges in their efforts to ensure accountability and to protect human rights in relation to the activities of such companies. The Working Group found that some Governments had engaged with professional associations representing the private military and security industry to develop good practices. The Working Group exchanged views with these Governments regarding such industry initiatives as codes of conduct. It shared ideas with the Governments regarding means of improving the compliance of private military and security companies with international humanitarian law and human rights norms. The Working Group highlighted gaps in oversight and accountability and recommended the adoption of comprehensive national legislation to ensure accountability for human rights violations and an effective remedy for victims. 42. During its visits to countries where private military and security companies recruited, the Working Group found that recruitment of personnel by such companies took several different forms. Governments shared their experiences of transnational private military and security companies recruiting nationals to work abroad, as well as domestic security companies hiring personnel to operate locally. The Working Group found that even Governments with broad legislative frameworks addressing the domestic private security industry fell short of similarly comprehensive regulation regarding the recruitment of their nationals by private military and security companies to work abroad. The Working Group noted with concern that countries where private military and security companies recruited, contracted and trained nationals to work in conflict areas abroad lacked protections against both contractual irregularities and the poor working conditions that their citizens often encountered. In addition to strengthening and clarifying regulatory frameworks governing the conduct of private military and security companies abroad, the Working Group recommended the establishment of a complaint mechanism and urgent measures to protect the human rights of company employees currently working in conflict areas. 43. A number of requests for country visits did not receive a favourable response. The Working Group encourages Governments to accept its requests to conduct country visits. 44. The Working Group has attempted to hold follow-up consultations during its sessions with the countries visited to discuss the implementation of its recommendations. It held follow-up meetings with the permanent missions of Afghanistan, Ecuador, Fiji, Honduras, Peru and the United States on its missions to these countries. B. Communications 45. Since the Working Group was established, it has received a number of reports alleging human rights violations involving mercenaries and private military and security companies. The Working Group regularly sends communications to Governments concerning individual allegations of human rights violations involving mercenaries and private military and security companies. 11