A/HRC/18/32 I. Introduction 1. In the present report, 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 selfdetermination describes its activities its previous report submitted to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/15/25). It covers the communications sent between 18 April 2010 and 30 April 2011. As the present report is the last one for a majority of the initial members of the Working Group who are ending their second term in 2011, it focuses on the activities and achievements of the Working Group over the past six years. 2. The report is submitted pursuant to resolution 2005/2 of the Commission on Human Rights, in which the Commission established the mandate of the Working Group, and Human Rights Council resolutions 7/21 and 15/12, in which the Council extended that mandate. 3. The Working Group is composed of five independent experts serving in their personal capacities: José Luis Gómez del Prado (Spain), Chairperson-Rapporteur; Amada Benavides de Pérez (Colombia); Najat al-Hajjaji (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya); Faiza Patel (Pakistan); and Alexander Nikitin (Russian Federation). In April 2010, the Working Group decided to operate under a three-monthly rotating chair until the end of the year. Accordingly, Ms. Benavides de Pérez was Chairperson from July to September 2010. Mr. Nikitin followed, from October to December 2010. At its eleventh session, the Working Group decided that Mr. Gomez del Prado would act as Chairperson-Rapporteur until August 2011. II. Activities of the Working Group over the past year 4. In accordance with its usual practice, the Working Group continued to hold three regular sessions each year, two in Geneva and one at Headquarters. The Working Group held its eleventh session from 29 November to 3 December 2010, and its twelfth session from 4 to 8 April 2011, in Geneva. At the sessions, the Working Group met with representatives of several Governments and regional organizations, United Nations officials and non-governmental organizations in order to discuss, inter alia, recent activities of mercenaries and private military and security companies, and preparations for the intergovernmental working group. 5. The Working Group continued to monitor the activities of mercenaries and private military and security companies around the world and their impact on human rights. It also carried out three country visits, held regular meetings with representatives of Member States, non-governmental organizations and experts, reviewed allegations regarding the activities of mercenaries and private military and security companies and their impact on human rights, and decided on appropriate action. Members of the Working Group were also invited to participate as resource persons in the first session of the open-ended intergovernmental working group on the regulation of private military and security companies, which was held in May 2011. A. Communications 6. The present report covers communications sent from 18 April 2010 to 30 April 2011 and replies received from 1 June 2010 to 30 April 2011. 4