A/HRC/18/32 7. A total of seven communications were sent to seven countries, one1 relating to alleged involvement of country nationals in mercenary activities in a foreign country and to activities of private military and security companies and their impact on the enjoyment of human rights. The Working Group also sent two reminder letters and a follow-up letter requesting further information. In some cases, the Working Group sent similar communications to several Governments whose nationals were allegedly involved in the same activities. For three of the communications sent, the Working Group received a complete or partial response from the Government concerned. The Working Group expresses its appreciation to those Governments that provided substantive replies to its communications and invites those that have not done so to cooperate with its mandate by providing the information requested. B. Press releases 8. In addition to its media advisories or press releases issued in connection to country visits and the holding of its regular sessions, the Working Group issued two press releases in connection with alleged mercenary activities in Côte d’Ivoire and the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. On 22 February 2011, the Working Group issued a press release on the situation in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya together with a number of other special procedures mandate holders, in which it expressed its grave concerns at allegations that mercenaries had been involved in the killing of protesters. On 1 April 2011, the Working Group, again with a number of other special procedures mandate holders, issued a press release on the situation in Côte d’Ivoire, in which it expressed its concerns about numerous reports regarding the involvement of English-speaking mercenaries in attacks against civilians, and recalled that the recruitment of mercenaries was prohibited under international law. 9. On 19 October 2010, the Working Group issued a statement following a report issued by the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services on the role and oversight of American private security contractors in Afghanistan. It recommended stronger oversight of American private security contractors in Afghanistan and elsewhere and noted that the findings in the Senate report were consistent with those of the Working Group following its visit to Afghanistan in 2009. The Working Group also recalled its findings that, owing to the lack of effective vetting procedures, in particular, some private military and security companies employed individuals who may have been involved in human rights abuses in the past and continued to be involved in human rights violations while employed by these companies. In this regard, it recommended once again that the Government of the United States of America should establish a more vigorous vetting procedure before awarding contracts. 10. In addition, on 21 October 2010, following the reports of the death of a passenger being deported from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on a flight to Angola, while in the custody of the private security company G4S, the Working Group, together with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, issued a statement expressing their deep concern over the incident. Jimmy Mubenga, a national from Angola, who was being deported from the United Kingdom after losing his appeal to remain in the country, died 50 minutes after boarding a British Airways flight at Heathrow airport on 13 October 2010. Mr. Mubenga was sitting at the rear of the aircraft, surrounded by three guards working for G4S, which has been contracted by the British border agency to escort deportees. Passengers reported that the guards restrained heavily Mr. Mubenga, who consistently complained about his breathing and begged for help from other passengers. 1 Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Honduras, Israel, Liberia, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. 5