2016/2238(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Motion for a resolution
Heading 1

on private military and security companies

Amendment 10 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 19 a (new)

– having regard to the report 'Border Wars: The Arms Dealers Profiting from Europe's Refugee Tragedy' by the Transnational Institute, Centre Delàs d'Estudis per la Pau and Stop Wapenhandel,

Amendment 100 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Stress~~Notes that ~~private security companie~~PSCs play an important role in aiding the state’'s military and civilian agencies by closing manpower and capability gaps created by budget cuts and increasing demand for the use of forces abroad; emphasises the availability of surge capacity at short notice as a~~n additional~~ benefit of the private provision of security services; stresses that PSCs are used as an instrument of implementation of foreign policy of those countries;

Amendment 101 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Stresses that private security companies ~~play an important role in~~may, under certain circumstances, contribute greatly to aiding the state’s military and civilian agencies by closing manpower and capability gaps created by budget cuts and increasing demand for the use of forces abroad; emphasises the availability of surge capacity at short notice as an additional benefit of the private provision of security services;

Amendment 102 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Stresses that private security companies ~~play an important~~could play a supplementary role in aiding the state’'s military and civilian agencies by closing manpower and capability gaps created by budget cuts and increasing demand for the use of forces abroad; emphasises the availability of surge capacity at short notice as an additional benefit of the private provision of security services;

Amendment 103 #

1. Stresses that private security companies play an important role in aiding the state’s military and civilian agencies by closing manpower and capability gaps ~~created by budget cuts and~~given the increasing demand for the use of forces abroad; emphasises the availability of surge capacity at short notice as an additional benefit of the private provision of security services;

Amendment 104 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Underscores the need for PSCs when operating in host countries, particularly those that significantly differ in terms of culture and religion, to be mindful of local customs and habits in order not to jeopardise the effectiveness of their mission and alienate the local population;

Amendment 105 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Stresses that, in the field of EU security and defence, the priority should be to strengthen, train and equip with the requisite means and resources national armed forces and security forces, as should closer coordination at EU, NATO and international level;

Amendment 106 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Recognises the risks of PSCs, especially those based in host countries and staffed with local security and military personnel, that can lead to unintentionally strengthening potential actors in the conflict and to the proliferation of arms in conflict areas;

Amendment 107 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Points out that the work of the armed forces and security forces abroad is of fundamental value in peace-keeping and conflict prevention, as well as in the social reconstruction and national reconciliation that follows;

Amendment 108 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 c (new)

1c. Stresses that while private security companies may be a useful complement to the activities of national armed forces, they must not be used as a substitute for armies or take over their role in military interventions and operations;

Amendment 109 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

~~2. Notes that, compared to national troops, private security companies, particularly those based in host countries, can provide considerable cost savings as well as valuable local knowledge;~~deleted

Amendment 11 #

Jonás FERNÁNDEZ

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

~~A. whereas security and defence do not depend only on financial resources, but also on knowledge; whereas public authorities do not always possess both in abundance;~~deleted

Amendment 110 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that, compared to national troops, private military and security companies, particularly those based in host countries, can provide considerable cost savings as well as valuable local knowledge; however, stresses that the use of services provided by local security and military companies in fragile countries and crisis-prone regions often also leads to very negative developments which undermine the EU's foreign policy and development objectives by providing a cover for warlords, militias and illegally armed groups including organized crime;

Amendment 111 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that, compared to national troops, private security companies, particularly those based in host countries, can provide considerable cost savings as well as valuable local knowledge; at the same time, stresses the urgent need for a clear legal distinction between the operations of private security companies and the activities of private players which are used directly for military activity, often in countries other than their country of origin;

Amendment 112 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that, ~~compared to national troop~~in many cases, private security companies~~, particularly those based in host countries, can provide considerable cost savings as well as~~ can provide valuable local knowledge;

Amendment 113 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that, compared to national troops, ~~private security companie~~PSCs, particularly those based in host countries, can provide ~~considerable~~ cost savings as well as valuable local knowledge; points out that the quality of service should remain a priority and cannot be undermined;

Amendment 114 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that, compared to national troops, private security companies, particularly those based in host countries, can provide ~~considerable~~ cost savings as well as valuable local knowledge;

Amendment 115 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Points out that the use of private security companies must be strictly regulated and closely monitored, and staunchly opposes the use of private companies for military purposes in the sphere of security and defence;

Amendment 116 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

Amendment 117 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

Amendment 118 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Emphasises that, particularly in the provision of civilian tasks, economies of scale and competition can allow for lower costs than independent provision by the military or civilian agency in question; at the same time, acknowledges that the principle criterion when employing private security companies should be ensuring security and not the cost;

Amendment 119 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Recognises, however, the need to ensure that the use of PSCs indeed provides cost savings and efficiencies compared to the provision of such services by the state; emphasises that, particularly in situations of crisis, this assessment can be difficult to make and, if flawed, may lead to overpayment; urges the EU and Member States to pay particular attention when contracting PSCs; stresses that careful consideration needs to be given to whether or not a particular service can be provided more cheaply through the national armed forces;deleted

Amendment 12 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

~~A. whereas security and defence do not depend only on financial resources, but also on knowledge; whereas public authorities do not always possess both in abundance;~~deleted

Amendment 120 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

Amendment 121 #

Doru-Claudian FRUNZULICĂ, Nicola CAPUTO, Eugen FREUND

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Recognises~~Is convinced, however, the need to ensure that the use of PSCs indeed provides cost savings and efficiencies compared to the provision of such services by the state; emphasises that, particularly in situations of crisis, this assessment can be difficult to make and, if flawed, may lead to overpayment; urges the EU and Member States to pay particular attention when contracting PSCs; stresses that careful consideration needs to be given to whether or not a particulaat assessments of an economic nature, particularly regarding service costs, should not be a prime factor in opting to use PSCs; considers that these undertakings should be used only as a last resort and only where the alternatives are clearly inadequate; stresses how important it is, in such cases, that their use~~rvice can be provided more~~ should be covered by chlea~~ply through the national armed forc~~r policies and guidelines;

Amendment 122 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Underlines that the cost-effective principle of PSCs employment offers mainly benefits in the short-term, especially if a number of socioeconomic variables are not taken into consideration, and should therefore not become the main criteria when dealing with security issues; recalls that accountability and oversight mechanisms are crucial in order to ensure that the legitimacy and potential benefits of PMSCs are fully obtained;

Amendment 123 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Emphasises that strategic military and security decisions cannot under any circumstances be left in the hands of private security or military companies;

Amendment 124 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Underlines the importance of parliamentary oversight over state use of PSCs by Member States;

Amendment 125 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Highlights the fact that any participation by private security and military companies in military operations must be strategically justified, with clearly-defined objectives that can be verified using tangible indicators, have a fully-detailed budget and a specific start and end date, and be governed by a strict code of ethics;

Amendment 126 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2

The use ~~of Private Security Compan~~curity of the European Union can be ensured only under the supervision of the armies byof the EUMember States

Amendment 127 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Notes that the EU makes use of Private Security Companies abroad to guard its delegations and staff and to support its civilian and military CSDP missions; stresses that their services fill capacity gaps that the EU would otherwise have difficulties in tackling; demands that the Commission and the Council produce an overview of where, when and for what reason Private Security Companies have been employed in support of EU missions; considers that it would not be illogical if, in its invitations to tender concerning the security of its delegations, the European Union favoured the use of PSCs genuinely based in Europe, complying with European Union regulations and subject to European Union taxation;

Amendment 128 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Notes that the EU makes use of P~~rivate Security Companie~~SCs abroad to guard its delegations and staff and to support its civilian and military CSDP missions; stresses that ~~their~~PSCs services fill certain capacity gaps that the EU would otherwise have difficulties in tackling; demands that the Commission and the Council produce an overview of where, when and for what reason Private Security Companies have been employed in support of EU missions;

Amendment 129 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Notes that the EU makes use of Private Security Companies abroad to guard its delegations and staff and to support its civilian and military CSDP missions; stresses that their services fill capacity gaps that the EU would otherwise have difficulties in tackling; demands that the Commission and the Council produce an overview of where, when and for what reason Private Security Companies have been employed in support of EU missions; suggests that the use of Private Security Companies should be used singularly to guard delegations and staff and that they should not be used to support any future civilian or military CSDP missions;

Amendment 13 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas ~~security and defence do not depend only on financial resources, but also on knowledge; whereas public authorities do not always possess both in abundan~~only the democratic state governed by the rule of law shall have the monopoly on the legitimate use of force; whereas since the end of the Cold War many state functions with regard to security and the use of force have been outsourced leading to the erosion of the state and the concept of the democratic control of armed forces;

Amendment 130 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Notes that the EU makes use of Private Security Companies abroad to guard its delegations and staff and to support its civilian and military CSDP missions; notes that their use thus directly contributes to the EU's reputation and perception by third parties; stresses that their services fill capacity gaps that the EU would otherwise have difficulties in tackling; demands that the Commission and the Council produce an overview of where, when and for what reason Private Security Companies have been employed in support of EU missions;

Amendment 131 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Notes that the EU makes use of Private Security Companies abroad to guard its delegations and staff and to support its civilian and military CSDP missions; stresses that their services fill capacity gaps that the EU would otherwise have difficulties in tackling and calls on the Member States to dedicate national armed forces or police for force protection abroad; demands that the Commission and the Council produce an overview of where, when and for what reason Private Security Companies have been employed in support of EU missions;

Amendment 132 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Notes that the EU makes use of Private Security Companies abroad to guard its delegations and staff and to support its civilian and military CSDP missions; stresses that their services fill capacity gaps that the EU would otherwise have difficulties in tackling, mainly when and where use of national troops is not feasible; demands that the Commission and the Council produce an overview of where, when and for what reason Private Security Companies have been employed in support of EU missions;

Amendment 133 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Notes the concern that the EU makes use of Private Security Companies abroad to guard its delegations and staff and to support its civilian and military CSDP missions; stresses that their services fill capacity gaps that the EU would otherwise have difficulties in tackling; demands that the Commission and the Council produce an overview of where, when and for what reason Private Security Companies have been employed in support of EU missions;

Amendment 134 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Notes that the EU makes use of Private Security Companies abroad to guard its delegations and staff and to support its civilian and military CSDP missions; stresses that, in exceptional cases, their services fill capacity gaps that the EU would otherwise have difficulties in tackling; demands that the Commission and the Council produce an overview of where, when and for what reason Private Security Companies have been employed in support of EU missions;

Amendment 135 #

Doru-Claudian FRUNZULICĂ, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Notes a growing confluence of interests between European political leaders who are seeking to militarise their borders and the main defence and security contractors who provide these services; our military-security-industrial complex is today stronger than ever, and is utilising technologies oriented towards external and internal considerations, and which at present are being directed against some of the most vulnerable and desperate people on earth;

Amendment 136 #

Javier COUSO PERMUY

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Rather than contracting to private security services, the EU should have a public security corps answerable to the Member States that is responsible for ensuring the security of EU delegations and staff and providing support for CSDP missions; this corps could be constituted from the civil police forces of the Member States or take the form of a new ad-hoc civil corps;

Amendment 137 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Underlines that the employment of PSCs in third countries leads primarily to aspects of social and moral trust, both in relation with the beneficiaries (employers) and with those whom they have to interact with, i.e. the population and authorities of the third countries;

Amendment 138 #

Doru-Claudian FRUNZULICĂ, Nicola CAPUTO, Eugen FREUND, Nikos ANDROULAKIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Emphasises, however, that, particularly in conflict-prone environments, employing a PSC for certain duties can ~~have negative side effects for the EU by accidentally associating it with armed actors in a conflict area, with negative repercussions in the case of armed incidents, or by possibly compromising~~complicate the situation and sometimes impact on Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) and Security Sector Reform (SSR) efforts through the inadvertent strengthening of local actors; notes in particular the risks posed by uncontrolled sub-contracting;

Amendment 139 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Emphasises, however, that, particularly in conflict-prone environments, employing a PSC for certain duties can have negative side effects for the EU, especially for its legitimacy, by accidentally associating it with armed actors in a conflict area, with negative repercussions in the case of armed incidents, or by possibly compromising Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) and Security Sector Reform (SSR) efforts through the inadvertent strengthening of local actors; notes in particular the risks posed by uncontrolled sub-contracting;

Amendment 14 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas ~~security and defence do not depend only on financial resources, but also on knowledge; whereas public authorities do not always possess both in abundance~~public authorities of the EU Member States make use of private security service providers;

Amendment 140 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Emphasises, however, that, particularly in conflict-prone environments, employing a PSC for certain duties can have negative side effects for the EU by accidentally associating it with armed actors in a conflict area, with negative repercussions in the case of armed incidents, or by possibly compromising Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) and Security Sector Reform (SSR) efforts through the inadvertent strengthening of local actors; notes in particular the risks posed by uncontrolled sub-contracting such as to local PSCs;

Amendment 141 #

Nikos ANDROULAKIS, Nicola CAPUTO, Nikos ANDROULAKIS, Nikos ANDROULAKIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Points to the various and serious legal and political problems associated with the very current practice of subcontracting in the field of military and security services especially in particular by services provided by local subcontractors in third countries; believes that Member States, EEAS and the Commission should agree on following the example of NATO by only contracting PMSCs based in EU Member States;

Amendment 142 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Recognizes the need to implement international and regional regulatory and monitoring mechanisms, in order to assess the present situation of PSCs established in the EU, working on the EU's territory and/or on the territory of third countries, providing services for European and/or non-European entities;

Amendment 143 #

Javier NART, Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Jozo RADOŠ, Louis MICHEL, Louis MICHEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Stresses the categorical prohibition of allowing PSC to engage in war or in combat areas and so of outsourcing military operations that imply use of force and weaponry or participation in hostilities, allowing thus only self-defence in case of attack;

Amendment 144 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Demands that the Commission and the Council produce an overview of where, when and for what reason PSCs have been employed in support of EU missions;

Amendment 145 #

Javier NART, Arnaud DANJEAN, Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Jozo RADOŠ, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Louis MICHEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Points to the fact that PMSCs services are used by various EU actors mostly in unstable regions and countries where democratic governance structures are fragile but in particular local police and armed forces are weak and not in full control of internal and external security; underlines that in such third countries the use of local PMSCs, in particular as subcontractors which goes with very low levels of accountability and transparency, often further weakens fragile states and runs counter to EU stabilisation and development policies as often local militias, warlords and other actors are being strengthened as a result of such contracts; therefore urges the HR/VP, the Member States, the EEAS and the Commission to agree on common rules which oblige European based PMSCs executing contracts on their behalf to not subcontract to local PMSCs in third countries;

Amendment 146 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Stresses that the outsourcing of activities or services to PSCs should be limited to logistical support and protection of installations, and that the presence of PSCs should be limited to non-combat areas and that PSCs shall not participate or be present in interrogations;

Amendment 147 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Recommends, therefore, that the Commission propose common PSC contracting guidelines for hire, use and management of military and security contractors that clearly spell out the requirements for international and local PSCs to qualify for EU contracts, with the goal of replacing the current patchwork of approaches; these guidelines should be based both on international best practices in relation to PSC conduct and management, such as the ICoC, and take into account the need for particular care to be taken when selecting local PSCs in a complex post-crisis context; urges the Commission and the EEAS to give clear preference to ICoC-certified providers ;

Amendment 148 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Recommends, therefore, that the Commission propose common PSC contracting guidelines ~~that~~for the hire, use and management of military and security contractors, clearly spelling out the requirements for international and local PSCs to qualify for EU contracts, with the goal of replacing the current patchwork of approaches; these guidelines should be based both on international best practices in relation to PSC conduct and management, such as the ICoC, and take into account the need for particular care to be taken when selecting local PSCs in a complex post-crisis context; urges the Commission and the EEAS to ~~give clear preference to~~only use ICoC-certified providers ; ;

Amendment 149 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Recommends, therefore, that the Commission propose common PSC contracting guidelines that clearly spell out the requirements for international and local PSCs to qualify for EU contracts, with the goal of replacing the current patchwork of approaches; these guidelines should be based both on international best practices in relation to PSC conduct and management, such as the ICoC, and take into account the need for particular care to be taken when selecting local PSCs in a complex post-crisis context; urges the Commission and the EEAS to give clear preference to ICoC-certified providers as is already done by the UN for whom ICoC is a requirement;

Amendment 15 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas security and defence are areas of special public interest which do not depend onsolely on financial resources, but also on knowledge~~; where~~, and which should be managed as a public ~~authorities do not always possess both in abundance~~good on the basis of the criteria of efficiency and effectiveness;

Amendment 150 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Recommends, therefore, that the Commission propose common PMSC contracting guidelines that clearly spell out the requirements for ~~international and local P~~EU based PMSCs to qualify for EU contracts, with the goal of replacing the current patchwork of approaches; these guidelines should be based both on international best practices in relation to PMSC conduct and management~~, such as the ICoC, and take into account the need for particular care to be taken when selecting local PSCs in a complex post-crisis context; urges the Commission and~~; points to the approach of US authorities which include detailed standards and requirements into each individual contract and calls on the E~~EAS~~U to ~~give clear preference to ICoC-certified providers~~ follow this example;

Amendment 151 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Recommends, therefore, that the Commission propose common PSC contracting guidelines that clearly spell out the requirements for international and local PSCs to qualify for EU contracts, with the goal of replacing the current patchwork of approaches and thus offering greater legal clarity; these guidelines should be based both on international best practices in relation to PSC conduct and management, such as the ICoC, and take into account the need for particular care to be taken when selecting local PSCs in a complex post- crisis context; urges the Commission and the EEAS to give clear preference to ICoC- certified providers ;

Amendment 152 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Urges the Commission and EEAS to use the same guidelines for the hire, use and management of military and security contractors in all external actions, missions, operations and for EU Delegations across all countries and regions and for all services of a revised Common Military List of the European Union; urges Commission and EEAS to include a list of best practices into such EU guidelines which can be derived from the Montreux Document in particular with regard to procedures for the selection and contracting of PMSCs, the terms of contract with PMSCs and the monitoring of compliance and ensuring of accountability;

Amendment 153 #

Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Calls for an EU security supervisor of an EU security company to be present at EU funded sites and EU delegations with the tasks of ensuring the quality of the security services provided, vetting and training the locally hired security personnel, establishing and keeping up good relations with local security forces, providing risk assessments and being the first point of contact in security related matters for the delegation;

Amendment 154 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. ~~Demands that~~Recommends the Commission establish a black list of contractors who have demonstrably failed to comply with the EU’'s standards; notes that standards across the EU regarding PSCs vary greatly, with the UK and Sweden leading the way, and believes that other Member States should strive to achieve similar standards while remaining in line with their own constitutional obligations;

Amendment 155 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Demands that the Commission establish a ~~black~~ list of ~~contractor~~PSCs whoich have ~~demonstrably failed to comply with the EU’s standards~~complied with the EU standards such as clean criminal record, financial and economic capacity, possession of licences and authorizations, high standards of vetting of personnel;

Amendment 156 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Demands that the Commission establish a black list of contractors who have ~~demonstrably~~ failed to comply with the EU’s standards, human rights or the ICoC guidelines; considers that this list should be updated at intervals not exceeding 2 years;

Amendment 157 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Underlines that contracts with the PSCs should include inter alia clauses on possession of licences and authorisations, personnel and property records, training, lawful acquisition and use of weapons, and internal organisation;

Amendment 158 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Urges the Commission, the Council and the Member States to invest in research for more and better technologies such as facial recognition and crowd-control tools as part of automated controls at airports, metro stations and other places where crowds gather, together with private security companies;deleted

Amendment 159 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

Amendment 16 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas security and defence do not depend only on financial resources, but also on knowledge; whereas public authorities, aside from the armed forces of each country, do not always possess both in abundance;

Amendment 160 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

Amendment 161 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

Amendment 162 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Urges the Commission, the Council and the Member States to ~~invest in~~support research for more and better technologies such as facial recognition and crowd- control tools as part of automated controls at airports, metro stations and other places where crowds gather, together with private security companiesin order to improve the level of knowledge of security;

Amendment 163 #

Doru-Claudian FRUNZULICĂ, Nicola CAPUTO, Eugen FREUND

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

Amendment 164 #

Javier COUSO PERMUY

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

Amendment 165 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Draws attention on the fact that PSCs, besides offering security services, are conducting intelligence activities, as well, that, due to their potentially implications, require efficient regulation and control;

Amendment 166 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Urges the Council and the Commission that a single European Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) solution should be used to support all Member States; this would deliver unprecedented security intelligence to help improve security responsiveness; recommends developing a commercial satellite imagery-based ISR solution for the European Union;deleted

Amendment 167 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

Amendment 168 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

Amendment 169 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

Amendment 17 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas ~~security and defence do not depend only on financial resources, but also on knowledge; whereas public authorities do not always possess both in abundance~~military matters primarily fall within the sphere of the sovereign powers of each Member State; whereas security and defence do not depend only on financial resources and the experience gained by national armies;

Amendment 170 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

Amendment 171 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

Amendment 172 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

Amendment 173 #

Javier COUSO PERMUY

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Urges the Council and the Commission that a single European Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) solution should be used to support all Member States; this would deliver unprecedented security intelligence to help improve security responsiveness; ~~recommends developing a commercial satellite imagery-based ISR solution for the European Union;~~

Amendment 174 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Urges the Council and the Commission that a single European Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) solution should be used to support all Member States; this would deliver ~~unprecedent~~accurate and verified security intelligence to help improve security responsiveness; recommends developing a commercial satellite imagery- based ISR solution for the European Union;

Amendment 175 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Recommends that the European Commission draw up a Green Paper with the objective of involving all stakeholders from the public and private security sectors in a broad consultation and discussion of processes to identify opportunities for direct collaboration more efficiently and to establish a basic set of rules of engagement and good practices; recommends the creation of sector-specific EU quality standards;deleted

Amendment 176 #

Doru-Claudian FRUNZULICĂ, Nicola CAPUTO, Eugen FREUND, Nikos ANDROULAKIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

Amendment 177 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

Amendment 178 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Recommends that the European Commission draw up a Green Paper with the objective of involving all stakeholders from the public and private security sectors in a broad consultation and discussion of processes to identify opportunities for direct collaboration more efficiently and to establish ~~a basic set of~~ rules of minimum engagement and good practices; recommends the creation of sector-specific EU quality standards;

Amendment 179 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Believes that, as a first step, the EU should define relevant military and security services in a precise way; urges in this respect the Council to add military and security services by Private Military and Security Companies (PMSCs) to the Common Military List of the European Union without delay; points to the fact that some military services by private companies may already be covered in ML22 under technical assistance which incorporates consulting services among other forms of assistance; points to the EU funded research project PRIV-WAR which generated a list of 29 different military and security services which could potentially be provided by PMSCs and calls for the creation of a military list category (ML) which includes this broad range of services;

Amendment 18 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas security and defence do not depend only on financial resources, but also on knowledge; whereas in certain areas public authorities ~~do not always possess both in abundance~~lack necessary capacities and capabilities;

Amendment 180 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Highlights the fact that private security companies, including private military companies, must always be governed by the law and subject to oversight, and must account for their actions;

Amendment 181 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Recommends supporting the creation of a flexible, but rigorous, regulatory model which will: - help to overcome legal differences between Member States; - re-evaluate, and thus redefine, contemporary public-private collaboration strategies; - map companies with a single or multiple end use; - contextualise the precise nature and role of private military and security companies;deleted

Amendment 182 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

Amendment 183 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 – introductory part

12. Recommends ~~suppor~~entrusting the creation of a flexible, but rigorous, regulatory model ~~which will:~~solely to the armies of Member States which are capable of carrying out the task;

Amendment 184 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 – introductory part

12. ~~Recommends supporting the creation of~~Urges the Commission to develop a flexible, but rigorous, regulatory model which will:

Amendment 185 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 – introductory part

12. Recommends supporting the creation of a ~~flexible, but~~ rigorous, regulatory model which will:

Amendment 186 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 – introductory part

12. Recommends supporting the creation of a ~~flexible, but rigorous,~~European regulatory model which will:

Amendment 187 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 – introductory part

12. Recommends supporting the creation of a ~~flexible, but~~ rigorous, regulatory model which will:

Amendment 188 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 – indent 1

~~- help to overcome legal differences between Member States;~~deleted

Amendment 189 #

Paulo RANGEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 – indent 1

– help ~~to overcome legal differences between~~harmonise the legal systems of the Member States;

Amendment 19 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. Whereas the border security market is in rapid expansion, was estimated to be worth EUR 15 billion in 2015 and is predicted to increase in value to over EUR 29 billion per annum in 2022; whereas the European border security industry is dominated by big arms companies, which have expanded or developed their security divisions, and by a group of smaller hi-tech companies specialising in security; whereas the major players on the European border security scene also include arms companies such as Airbus, Finmeccanica, Thales and Safran, as well as the technology giant Indra; and whereas Finmeccanica and Airbus have been the main beneficiaries of European contracts aimed at reinforcing the borders; and whereas Airbus is, moreover, the main beneficiary of financing contracts for research in the field of security;

Amendment 190 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 – indent 1 a (new)

– security staff are subject to appropriate security screening,

Amendment 191 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 – indent 1 a (new)

– set minimum standards for private security service providers within the EU;

Amendment 192 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 – indent 1 a (new)

– set high level standards for PSCs operating in their country of origin and abroad;

Amendment 193 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 – indent 4

-– contextualise the precise nature and role of private military and security companies under the orders and supervision of the armed forces;

Amendment 194 #

Doru-Claudian FRUNZULICĂ, Nicola CAPUTO, Eugen FREUND, Nikos ANDROULAKIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 – indent 4 a (new)

– make it possible to hold PSCs accountable for violations, including human rights violations, during their activities;

Amendment 195 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 – indent 4 a (new)

– ensure reporting of eventual private military and security companies' irregularities and illegalities;

Amendment 196 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 – indent 4 a (new)

– equitable remuneration of security staff is ensured;

Amendment 197 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12 a. Calls on the Commission to regulate the various services provided by PMSCs on EU territory in the internal market; calls in this respect on the Commission to initiate a directive which would set minimum standards for private military and security service providers within the EU; believes that such a directive should clarify minimum standards regarding registration and operations of such service providers in order to improve and harmonize current national regulations; believes that appropriate legal bases for such a directives would be Articles 114, 53 and 62 TFEU which provide legal bases for the freedom of establishment and the freedom to provide services;

Amendment 198 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Notes that nascent global regulatory frameworks, such as the Montreux document, the ICoC and other regulatory initiatives in the UN framework, constitute clear progress compared to the lack of meaningful regulation that prevailed only ten years ago; stresses that these frameworks remain inadequate and that States should be left free to adopt binding and even radical rules to safeguard the integrity of their defence systems, which are threatened with hybridisation with mercenaries;

Amendment 199 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Notes that nascent global regulatory frameworks, such as the Montreux document, the ICoC and other regulatory initiatives in the UN framework, constitute clear progress compared to the lack of meaningful regulation that prevailed only ten years ago; notes that as this is a global issue any potential legislation should be introduced by a global organisation, such as the UN;

Amendment 2 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1

– having regard to the Montreux document on pertinent international legal obligations and good practices for States related to operations of private military and security companies (PMSCs) during armed conflict,

Amendment 20 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas decision-makers in the EU have constantly failed to inform citizens about the appropriate resources needed, both in terms of personnel and budget, in order to properly fulfil mandates of civilian and military missions and operations abroad; whereas this has led to outsourcing of security and military services to PMSCs often against the advice of armed forces or police; whereas in many cases decision-makers also fail to inform about the costs associated with services to be provided by PMSCs and deny to directly commit budget resources to such ends in a transparent manner;

Amendment 200 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Notes that nascent global regulatory frameworks, such as the Montreux document~~, the ICoC~~ and other regulatory initiatives in the UN framework, constitute clear progress compared to the lack of meaningful regulation that prevailed only ten years ago;

Amendment 201 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

~~14. Also commends the efforts made by many EU member states, following the good practice outlined in the Montreux document, to introduce effective national regulation of PSCs;~~deleted

Amendment 202 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Also commends the efforts made by ~~many~~some EU member states, following the good practice outlined in the Montreux document, to introduce effective national regulation of PMSCs;

Amendment 203 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Notes, however, that the evaluation of the performance of PSCs is hampered by the lack of consistent reporting about their use by both EU institutions and Member States’ governments; encourages Member States and EU institutions to provide this information more consistently to allow for a proper assessment of the use of PSCs by their respective budgetary authorities;deleted

Amendment 204 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

Amendment 205 #

Doru-Claudian FRUNZULICĂ, Nicola CAPUTO, Eugen FREUND, Nikos ANDROULAKIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

Amendment 206 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Notes, however, that the evaluation of the performance of PSCs is hampered by the lack of consistent reporting about their use by both EU institutions and Member States’' governments; encourages Member States and EU institutions to provide this information more consistently to allow for a proper assessment of the use of PSCs by their respective budgetary authorities; recommends non-state actors should be actively engaged in the necessary evaluation processes that are crucial for the regulation and oversight of this industry;

Amendment 207 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Notes, however, that the evaluation of the performance of PSCs is hampered by the lack of consistent reporting about their use by both EU institutions and Member States’ governments; encourages Member States and EU institutions to carry out effective monitoring of the PSCs used by them so as to be in a position to provide this information more consistently to allow for a proper assessment of the use of PSCs by their respective budgetary authorities;

Amendment 208 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Notes, however, that the evaluation of the performance of PSCs is hampered by the lack of consistent reporting about their use by both EU institutions and Member States’' governments; encourages Member States and EU institutions to provide this information more consistently and in a transparent manner to allow for a proper assessment of the use of PSCs by their respective budgetary authorities;

Amendment 209 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

Amendment 21 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas security and defence should be primarily provided by the public authorities;

Amendment 210 #

15a. Recommends to the Commission and the Council to establish a legal framework requiring national legislation to control the export of military and security services, as well as to report in the EU Annual Report on armaments exports on military and security service export licences granted by the Member States in order to increase public transparency and accountability;

Amendment 211 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses that the transnational nature of PCSs and, in particular, their activities in areas of the world affected by crisis often leads to jurisdictional gaps that could make it difficult to hold the companies or their employees to account for their actions; notes that the national regulation of Private Security Companies often does not have extraterritorial application; observes that a legal vacuum exists in the event of disputes or incidents involving PSCs and agents of the European Union, which may occur in high-risk areas; recommends therefore establishing a uniform legal framework for the European institutions which use PSCs to protect EU staff, assigning responsibilities;

Amendment 212 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses that the transnational nature of PMSCSs and, in particular, their activities in areas of the world affected by crisis often leads to jurisdictional gaps that could make it difficult to hold the companies or their employees to account for their actions; notes that the national regulation of Private Security Companies often does not have extraterritorial application; urges therefore the EEAS, Commission and Member States to only contract EU based PMSCs in combination with the obligation to execute services directly without recourse to local subcontractors in often fragile third countries;

Amendment 213 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses that the transnational nature of PCSCs and, in particular, their activities in areas of the world affected by crisis often leads to jurisdictional gaps that could make it difficult to hold the companies or their employees to account for their actions; notes that the national regulation of Private Security Companies often does not have extraterritorial application; calls for a clear legal framework which defines the area of activity of PSCs;

Amendment 214 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses that the transnational nature of PCSs and, in particular, their activities in areas of the world affected by crisis is dangerous and often leads to jurisdictional gaps that could make it difficult to hold the companies or their employees to account for their actions; notes that the national regulation of Private Security Companies often does not have extraterritorial application; stresses that it is for the Security Council to propose a multilateral framework for the supervision of these organisations;

Amendment 215 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses that the transnational nature of PCSs and, in particular, their activities in areagions of the world affected by crisis often leads to jurisdictional gaps that could make it difficult to hold the companies or their employees to account for their actions; notes that the national regulation of P~~rivate Security Companie~~SCs often does not have extraterritorial application; however, stresses that it is essential to ensure that there is no protection gap and no impunity for PSCs, including where they operate transnationally;

Amendment 216 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses that the transnational nature of PCSs and, in particular, their activities in areas of the world affected by crisis ~~often~~sometimes leads to jurisdictional gaps, particularly were the local legal structure is weak, that could make it difficult to hold the companies or their employees to account for their actions; notes that the national regulation of Private Security Companies often does not have extraterritorial application;

Amendment 217 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Considers that PSCs operating abroad, particularly in crisis-prone areas, should follow rules which give the host state authority to regulate PSCs and which ensure that contracting states are able to use their power to protect human rights and prevent corruption;

Amendment 218 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Urges, therefore, that the EU and its Member States use their status in the Montreux Document Forum to insist upon regular reviews of the state of implementation of the Montreux Document’s recommendations for good practice by its participants; urges the Member States that have not yet done so to join the Montreux document as soon as possible;deleted

Amendment 219 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Urges, therefore, that the EU and its Member States use their status in the Montreux Document Forum to insist upon regular reviews of the state of implementation of the Montreux Document’'s recommendations for good practice by its participants; urges the Member States that have not yet done so to join the Montreux document as soon as possible; encourages Member States to engage in sharing best practices;

Amendment 22 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)

Ab. Whereas Finmeccanica, Thales and Airbus, which are prominent players in the security business in the EU, are also three of the four main arms traders in Europe, selling to countries in the Middle East and North Africa; their total revenue in 2015 stood at EUR 95 billion;

Amendment 220 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Urges, therefore, that the EU and its Member States use their status in the Montreux Document Forum to insist upon regular reviews of the state of implementation of the Montreux Document’s recommendations for good practice by its participants; urges the Member States that have not yet done so to examine carefully the procedure for joining the Montreux document as soon as possible;

Amendment 221 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Urges, therefore, that the ~~EU and its~~ Member States use their status in the Montreux Document Forum to insist upon regular reviews of the state of implementation of the Montreux Document’s recommendations for good practice by its participants; urges the Member States that have not yet done so to join the Montreux document as soon as possible;

Amendment 222 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17a. Stresses that in case the EU relies on PMSCs in third countries with which it has concluded a SOFA, such agreements must always include the PMCSs employed and specifically clarify that the companies will be held accountable under EU law;

Amendment 223 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)

17b. Stresses that the EU Concept for Contractors Support should be strengthened and made binding for Member States and EU institutions; believes that in particular it should specify stricter standards for inclusion into contracts, for example based on US standards, and that it should also require that in regions of conflict no local PMSC should be employed or subcontracted; stresses that international PMSCs should have the possibility to hire local staff but only individually and directly in order to ensure effective vetting and to prevent the creation of local security industries in conflict regions;

Amendment 224 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Urges the EU and its Member States to push for an international framework that goes further than the Montreux document, by regulating the activities of PSCs, establishing a level playing field to ensure that host states have the authority to regulate PSCs and contracting states are able to use their power to protect human rights and prevent corruption; emphasises that such a framework must include dissuasive sancBelieves that the Montreux document is a potential basis for further binding international legislations fo~~r violations, the accountability of~~cusing on those re~~sponsible for violations and effective access to remedies for~~ gulating of activicti~~ms, in addition to a licensing and monitoring system requiring all PSCs to submit to independent audits and their personnel to participate in mandatory human rights training~~es of PSCs;

Amendment 225 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Urges the EU and its Member States to push for an international ~~framework~~legally binding instrument that goes further than the Montreux document, by regulating the activities of PSCs, establishing a level playing field to ensure that host states have the authority to regulate PSCs and contracting states are able to use their power to protect human rights and prevent corruption; emphasises that such a framework must include dissuasive sanctions for violations, the accountability of those responsible for violations and effective access to remedies for victims, in addition to a licensing and monitoring system requiring all PSCs to submit to independent audits and their personnel to participate in mandatory human rights training;

Amendment 226 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Urges the ~~EU and its~~ Member States to push for an international framework that goes further than the Montreux document, by regulating the activities of PSCs, establishing a level playing field to ensure that host states have the authority to regulate PSCs and contracting states are able to use their power to protect human rights and prevent corruption; emphasises that such a framework must include dissuasive sanctions for violations, the accountability of those responsible for violations and effective access to remedies for victims, in addition to a licensing and monitoring system requiring all PSCs to submit to independent audits and their personnel to participate in mandatory human rights training;

Amendment 227 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Believes that such an international framework shall be built on the work of the UN Working Group on mercenaries and their 2011 draft International Convention on the Regulation, Oversight and Monitoring of Private Military and Security Companies; therefore urges the HR/VP, the Member States, the EEAS, and the Commission to strongly support the creation of such an international convention aiming at establishing an international legal regime to regulate relevant services provided by PMSCs;

Amendment 228 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Notes that the use of PSCs in the maritime context differs considerably from their use on land due to operational and legal specifities; therefore, suggests to the Commission to integrate a specific maritime perspective in the EU legal framework on PCSs;

Amendment 229 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)

18b. Commends the efforts of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in providing guidelines for the use of private armed security teams; encourages the Commission and EU Member States to continue to work with the IMO towards the global application of the guidance;

Amendment 23 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

~~B. whereas Eurobarometer polls show that the EU’s citizens want the EU to be more active in the field of security and defence;~~deleted

Amendment 230 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Stresses that one of the most effective ways of influencing PSCs is through public sector procurement decisions; emphasises, therefore, the importance of making the award of contracts to PSCs conditional on the adoption of best practices, such as the ICoC, which ~~some Member States~~the UN and the US have already implemented; notes~~, however, that the ICoC compliance mechanism needs to be strengthened and its full independence assured to make it a credible incentive for compliance~~ that of the Member States only Sweden and the UK have signed up to the ICoC and believes that the EU should focus on ensuring that other Member States sign up to this rather than creating its own unnecessary duplication; notes that in contrast to previous attempts to regulate PSCs the ICoC has been accepted by a variety of companies and has the support of states and NGOs, therefore believes that it is a strong basis to build on for further regulation;

Amendment 231 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Stresses that one of the most effective ways of influencing PMSCs is through public sector procurement decisions; emphasises, therefore, the importance of making the award of contracts to PMSCs conditional on the adoption of best practices, such as the ICoC, which some Member States have already implemented; notes, however, that the ICoC compliance mechanism needs to be strengthened and its full independence assured to make it a credible incentive for compliance;

Amendment 232 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

Amendment 233 #

Paulo RANGEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Stresses that one of the most effective ways of influencing PSCs is through public ~~sector procurement decisions~~contracting; emphasises, therefore, the importance of making the award of contracts to PSCs conditional on the adoption of best practices, particularly regarding transparency, such as the ICoC, which some Member States have already implemented; notes, however, that the ICoC compliance mechanism needs to be strengthened and its full independence assured to make it a credible incentive for compliance;

Amendment 234 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Stresses that one of the most effective ways of ~~influenc~~monitoring PSCs is through public sector procurement decisions; emphasises, therefore, the importance of making the award of contracts to PSCs conditional on the adoption of best practices, such as the ICoC, which some Member States have already implemented; notes, however, that the ICoC compliance mechanism needs to be strengthened and its full independence assured to make it a credible incentive for compliance;

Amendment 235 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Stresses that one of the most effective ways of influencing PSCs is through public ~~sector~~ procurement decisions; emphasises, therefore, the importance of making the award of contracts to PSCs conditional on the adoption of best practices, such as the ICoC, which some Member States have already implemented; notes, however, that the ICoC compliance mechanism needs to be strengthened and its full independence assured to make it a credible incentive for compliance;

Amendment 236 #

Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Notes that PSCs should have a liability insurance which would make the security market more stable and reliable, bringing in also smaller and medium- sized PSCs;

Amendment 237 #

Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)

19b. Stresses that the award of contracts to PSCs should take into account and be evaluated based on the PSCs experience and period of working in hostile environments rather than by a turnover of a similar contract;

Amendment 238 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Notes the considerable influence thsome EU ~~and its~~ Member States enjoy over the global security industry as a result of many major players having their headquarters in the EU; therefore places particular emphasis on the upcoming revision of the Common Military List as an opportunity to include certain services provided by PSCs, which would make them subject to export regulations and apply basic standards to their activities abroadnd believes that this can be utilised to expand the international standards for PSCs;

Amendment 239 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Notes the considerable influence the EU and its Member States enjoy over the global security industry as a result of many major players having their headquarters in the EU; therefore places particular emphasis on the upcoming revision of the Common Military List as an opportunity to include ~~certain~~a broad range of military and security services provided by PMSCs, which would make them subject to export regulations and apply basic standards to their activities abroad;

Amendment 24 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

~~B. whereas Eurobarometer polls show that the EU’s citizens want the EU to be more active in the field of security and defence;~~deleted

Amendment 240 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Highlights the fact that the arms and security industry helps determine European border security policy through pressure groups, its regular interaction with the EU institutions specialising in border matters and its decisive role in research policy. The European Organisation f or Security (EOS), to which Thales, Finmeccanica and Airbus belong, has been very active in defending the heightening of border security; many of its proposals, such as the creation of a Pan-European Border Security Agency, have gone on to become tangible policies (see, for example, the conversion of Frontex into the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, EBCG); moreover, the twice-yearly events that Frontex/EBCG holds with the industry, and the latter's participation at special security round-tables and weapons and security fairs means they are in frequent contact and have a natural affinity to cooperate;

Amendment 241 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Urges the Council to regulate the export of military and security services as defined in an updated Common Military List of European Union via a dedicated Council Decision which should require national legislation controlling the export of military and security services; believes that contracts for the provision of these services outside the EU should be licensed by export authorizations and require annual reporting of service export licences granted by Member States in order to increase public transparency and accountability; points out that the legal bases for such a Council Decision is provided by Articles 25 and 28 TEU and can draw on the example of Council Common Position 2008/944;

Amendment 242 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Stresses the leading role of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) which should be the key forum in regulation of the international maritime sector;

Amendment 243 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)

20b. Points out that the arms and security industry has succeeded in securing EUR 316 million in funding for research on security topics, thereby setting the agenda for research, implementing it and then, on many occasions, being awarded the resulting contracts; since 2002, the EU has financed 56 projects in the field of border security and control;

Amendment 25 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas Eurobarometer polls show that the EU’s citizens want the EU to be more active in the field of security and defence, which cannot be verified without holding a referendum in all Member States; whereas the concept of European defence is vague and non-operational, as Europe is merely an international organisation bringing together States with divergent international interests; whereas moreover in the field of security and defence only experienced armies with know-how and a mastery of all aspects of security and defence issues, that is to say the French armies, are capable of acting effectively and being deployed immediately in external fields of operations;

Amendment 26 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas more than 1.5 million private security guards were employed in around 40 000 Private Security Companies in Europe in 2013; whereas these figures are continuing to increase; whereas the confusion between security agencies (whose officers are far from being soldiers) and private military companies makes it impossible to understand realistically the phenomenon of privatisation of security and defence;

Amendment 27 #

C. whereas more than 1.5 million private security ~~guard~~contractors were employed in around 40 000 Private Security Companies in Europe in 2013; whereas these figures are continuing to increase; whereas globally the private security industry was valued up to 200 billion USD in 2016 with around 100 000 PSCs and 3,5 million employees;

Amendment 28 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

Amendment 29 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas more than 1.5 million private security guards were employed in around 40 000 Private Security Companies in Europe in 2013; whereas the turnover of these companies in that year amounted to around EUR 35 billion; whereas these figures are continuing to increase;

Amendment 3 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)

– having regard to the U.N. Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the rights of peoples to self-determination established in July 2005,

Amendment 30 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas more than 1.5 million private security guards were employed in around 40 000 Private Military and Security Companies in Europe in 2013; whereas these figures are continuing to increase;

Amendment 31 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas, over the last few decades, private security companies (PSCs), a term which for the purposes of this resolution will also include Private Military Companies, have been increasingly employed by national militaries and civilian agencies, both for the domestic provision of services and support for overseas deployment; whereas this process has never been seriously evaluated and whereas its utility and benefits are dubious and may even weaken States' exercise of their sovereign powers and their monopoly of force;

Amendment 32 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital Δ

D. whereas, over the last few decades, private security companies (PSCs), a term which for the purposes of this resolution will also include Private Military Companies, ~~have been increasingly~~may be employed by national militaries ~~and civilian agencies~~, both for the domestic provision of services and support for overseas deployment; provided that Member States exercise full control and accept responsibility for any illegal actions and war crimes they might commit;

Amendment 33 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

Amendment 34 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

~~E. whereas the array of services provided by PSCs is extremely broad, ranging from logistical services to actual combat support and participation in post- conflict reconstruction;~~deleted

Amendment 35 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas the array of services provided by PSCs is extremely broad, ranging from logistical services to actual combat support and participation in post- conflict reconstruction; whereas PSCs also provide vital services inside Member States such as running prisons and providing patrol guards at infrastructure sites;

Amendment 36 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas the array of services provided by PSCs is extremely broad, ranging from logistical services to actual combat support, providing military technology and participation in post- conflict reconstruction;

Amendment 37 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas the array of services provided by PSCs ismay be extremely broad, ranging from logistical services to actual combat support and participation in post- conflict reconstruction;

Amendment 38 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas the array of services provided by PMSCs is extremely broad, ranging from logistical services to actual combat support and participation in post- conflict reconstruction;

Amendment 39 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas, in the context of the EU, Member State practice on the use of PSCs varies widely, with many using them to support their contingents in multilateral operations; whereas PSCs have been used in both civilian and military Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions, to guard EU delegations and to support humanitarian aid activities; whereas the European Union should not establish a militia or an army of 'mercenaries' of a new kind, particularly because security and defence remain subject to the sovereignty of each Member State;

Amendment 4 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4

– having regard to the UN Guidelines on the Use of Armed Security Services from Private Security Companies, which has recently been extended to unarmed security services,

Amendment 40 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas, in the context of the EU, Member States practices and the quality of the regulatory systems on the use of PSCs varies widely, with many using them to support their contingents in multilateral operations; whereas PSCs have been used in both civilian and military Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions, to guard EU delegations and to support humanitarian aid activities;

Amendment 41 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas, in the context of the EU, Member State practice on the use of PSCs varies widely, with many using them to support their contingents in multilateral operations; whereas PSCs have been used in both civilian and military Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions~~, to guard EU delegations~~ for real life support, construction of field camps, training, air lift and to support humanitarian aid activities;

Amendment 42 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)

Fa. whereas the procedures for contracting private security firms are different in the various Member States and in the European Union and these companies frequently apply under different denominations or through subsidiaries or agencies;

Amendment 43 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

Amendment 44 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas the outsourcing of military activities, formerly an integral part of the activities of armed forces, is taking place, among other things, to provide services in a more cost-efficient manner, but also to compensate for a shortfall in capabilities in shrinking armed forces in the context of an increasing number of multilateral missions abroad; whereas PSCs can also , provide capabilities that are entirely lacking in nationalmilitary activities may be undertaken only by the armed forces, of~~ten at short notice; whereas PSCs could also be used for reasons of political convenience to avoid limitations on the use of troop~~ the Member States;

Amendment 45 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas the outsourcing of military activities, formerly an integral part of the activities of armed forces, is taking place, among other things, to provide services in a more cost-efficient manner, but also to compensate for a shortfall in capabilities in shrinking armed forces in the context of an increasing number of multilateral missions abroad; whereas PSCs can also , provide capabilities that are entirely lacking in national armed forces, often at short notice; whereas PSCs could also be used for reasons of political convenience to avoid limitations on the use of troops;complementary services in a more cost- efficient manner

Amendment 46 #

Jonás FERNÁNDEZ

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas the outsourcing of military activities~~, formerly an integral part of the activities of armed forces, is taking place, among other things, to provide services in a more cost-efficient manner, but also to compensate for a~~ should be an exception and not the rule, and whereas there is a need to address shortfalls in capabilities in ~~shrinking armed forces in the context of an increasing number of multilateral~~ missions abroad; whereas PSCs can also , provide capabilities that are entirely lacking in national armed forces, often at short notice; ~~whereas PSCs could also be used for reasons of political convenience to avoid limitations on the use of troops;~~

Amendment 47 #

Doru-Claudian FRUNZULICĂ, Nicola CAPUTO, Eugen FREUND, Nikos ANDROULAKIS

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas the outsourcing of military activities, formerly an integral part of the activities of armed forces, is taking place, among other things, to provide services in a more cost-efficient manner, but also to compensate for a shortfall in capabilities in shrinking armed forces in the context of an increasing number of multilateral missions abroad; whereas PSCs can also , provide capabilities that are ~~entire~~partially lacking in national armed forces, often at short notice; ~~whereas PSCs could also be used for reasons of political convenience to avoid limitations on the use of troops;~~

Amendment 48 #

G. whereas the outsourcing of military activities, formerly an integral part of the activities of armed forces, is taking place, among other things, to provide services in a more cost-efficient manner, but also to compensate for a shortfall in capabilities in shrinking armed forces in the context of an increasing number of multilateral missions abroad; whereas PSCs can also , provide capabilities that are entirely lacking in national armed forces, often at short notice; whereas PSCs could also be used for reasons of political convenience to avoid limitations on the use of troops; whereas the use of PSCs as a foreign policy tool raises a number of concerns;

Amendment 49 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas the outsourcing of military activities~~, formerly an integral part of the activities of armed forces, is taking place, among other things, to provide services in a more cost-efficient manner, but also~~ is taking place, among other things, due to shrinking budgets and the need to compensate for a ~~shortfall~~ certain capabilities in shrinking armed forces in the context of an increasing number of multilateral missions abroad; whereas PSCs can also , provide capabilities that are entirely lacking in national armed forces, often at short noticey shortfall, thus the reliance on PSCs is increasing; whereas PSCs could also be used for reasons of political convenience to avoid limitations on the use of troops and to overcome possible lack of public support to engage one's armed forces;

Amendment 5 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7

– having regard to the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Providers (ICoC) established by the International Code of Conduct Association, which is an industry self-regulation mechanism whose standards are voluntary,

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas the outsourcing of military activities, formerly an integral part of the activities of armed forces, is taking place, among other things, to provide services in a more cost-efficient manner, but also to compensate for a shortfall in capabilities in shrinking armed forces in the context of an increasing number of multilateral missions abroadcompensate for the unwillingness of decision-makers to commit appropriate resources in terms of personnel and budget; whereas PMSCs can also ,sometimes provide capabilities that are entirely lacking in national armed forces, often at short notice; whereas PMSCs ~~could~~are also besometimes used for reasons of political convenience to avoid limitations ~~on the use of troop~~such as parliamentary oversight and accountability on the use of troops including by secret services for covert operations;

Amendment 51 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital Ζ

G. whereas the outsourcing of military activities, formerly an integral part of the activities of armed forces, is taking place, among other things, to provide services in a more cost-efficient manner, but also to compensate for a shortfall in capabilities in shrinking armed forces in the context of an increasing number of multilateral missions abroad; whereas PSCs can also , provide, often at short notice, capabilities that ~~are entirely~~may be lacking in the national armed forces, of~~ten at short notice~~ certain countries; whereas PSCs could also be used for reasons of political convenience to avoid ~~limitations on~~ the use of troops;

Amendment 52 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)

Ga. Whereas under no circumstances can the use of PSCs be a substitute for national armed forces personnel, and nor should this allow military duties to be performed under private employment contracts;

Amendment 53 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital G b (new)

Gb. Whereas the highest priority should be awarded, when implementing defence policies, to ensuring that the armed forces of the Member States have sufficient resources, instruments, training, knowledge and means with which to perform their tasks fully, efficiently and effectively, and in the safest possible conditions;

Amendment 54 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas PSCs have been ~~involved in incidents resulting in loss of life~~accused of engaging in a number of human rights violations including the abuse and torture of detainees, shootings and killings of innocent civilians, destruction of property, sexual harassment and rape, human trafficking in the recruitment of third- country nationals, weapons proliferation, and participation in renditions; whereas this has had repercussions on the efforts of the international community in the countries in question and has revealed considerable gaps in accountability structures;

Amendment 55 #

Doru-Claudian FRUNZULICĂ, Eugen FREUND, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas PMSCs have been involved in incidents resulting in loss of life; whereas such incidents vary across time and country and amount in some cases to serious human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law including war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide; whereas this has had repercussions on the efforts of the international community in the countries in question and has revealed considerable gaps in accountability structures;

Amendment 56 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas PSCs have been involved in incidents resulting in ~~loss of life; whereas this~~violations of human rights and in loss of life; whereas the opacity in their behaviour and their lack of transparency has had repercussions on the efforts of the international community in the countries in question and has revealed considerable gaps in accountability structures, such as, among others, the creation of numerous layers of subsidiaries or subcontracts in diverse countries;

Amendment 57 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas PSCs have been involved in incidents resulting in loss of life; whereas this has had repercussions on the efforts of the international community in the countries in question and has revealed considerable gaps in accountability structures; whereas this incidents have been prosecuted and it would be erroneous to suggest that PSCs fall outside of the law even if there is less clarity regarding rules of engagement;

Amendment 58 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas PSCs have been involved in incidents resulting in loss of life and in atrocities; whereas this has had repercussions on the efforts of the international community in the countries in question and has revealed considerable gaps in accountability structures, aspects which can very clearly associate them with the term 'mercenary';

Amendment 59 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas PSCs have been involved in incidents resulting in loss of life; whereas this has had repercussions on the efforts of the international community in the countries in question and has revealed considerable democratic gaps in accountability ~~structur~~and control of basic security of civilian populations in host countries;

Amendment 6 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8

– having regard to the International Stability Operations Association Code of Conduct which is an industry-owned self- regulatory mechanism,

Amendment 60 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital Η

H. whereas PSCs have been involved in incidents resulting in loss of life; whereas this has had repercussions on the success of efforts ofby the international community in the countries in question and has revealed considerable gaps in accountability structures;

Amendment 61 #

Doru-Claudian FRUNZULICĂ, Nicola CAPUTO, Eugen FREUND, Nikos ANDROULAKIS

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)

Ha. whereas there is the necessity to consider the possible impact that armed and unarmed security contractors can have on missions and the achievement of mission objectives, as the potential consequences of using PSCs could include a wide variety of issues from questions of democratic accountability and governmental control to the basic security of civilian populations in the host states;

Amendment 62 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)

Ha. whereas, due to the lack of specific international regulation of PSCs and PMCs, the non-homogenous national legislations and self-regulation adopted by some PSCs provide a weak deterrent to prevent abuses and has a major impact on how PSCs operate in multilateral interventions and conflict regions;

Amendment 63 #

Javier NART, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Jozo RADOŠ, Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Louis MICHEL

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)

Ha. whereas the EU and its Member States should aim at avoiding these situations in the future, and refrain from outsourcing military operations that imply the use of force and weaponry, participating in hostilities and otherwise engaging in combat or combat areas, beyond legitimate self-defence;

Amendment 64 #

Javier NART, Arnaud DANJEAN, Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Jozo RADOŠ, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Louis MICHEL

Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)

Hb. whereas operations and activities outsourced to PSCs in conflict areas should be restricted to providing logistical support and protection of installations, without an actual presence of PSCs in the areas where combat activities exist;

Amendment 65 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)

Hb. whereas the use of subcontractors, especially local ones, by PSCs may pose further challenges to transparency and accountability;

Amendment 66 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

Amendment 67 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital Θ

I. whereas, for states to benefit ~~from the~~in a controlled manner from certain advantages offered by PSCs, and to ensure that they can be held accountable, a legal framework should be put in place to facilitate their use; whereas PSCs are part of an industry, which is highly transnational in nature and as such requires a global approach to regulation; whereas the use of PSCs may undermine the military and hence upset the political balance in all countries of the world with unforeseeable consequences and incalculable implications;

Amendment 68 #

Doru-Claudian FRUNZULICĂ, Nicola CAPUTO, Eugen FREUND

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. wWhereas~~, for states to benefit from the advantages offered by PSCs, and to ensure that they can be held accountable,~~ a legal framework should be put in place to facilitate their use of PSC services; whereas PSCs are part of an industry, which is highly transnational in nature and as such requires a global approach to regulation;

Amendment 69 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas, for states to benefit from the advantages offered by PSCs, and to ensure that they can be held accountable, a legal framework ~~should be put in place~~with binding regulatory and monitoring mechanisms should be put in place at the international level to facilitate their use; whereas PSCs are part of an industry, which is highly transnational in nature and is intertwined with governmental and intergovernmental actors and as such requires a global approach to regulation;

Amendment 7 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 10

– having regard to ISO 18788 Management System for Private Security Operations, which sets parameters for the management of private security companies,

Amendment 70 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas, for states to benefit from the advantages offered by PSCs, and to ensure that they can be held accountable, a legal framework should be put in place to facilitate their use; whereas PSCs are part of an industry, which is highly transnational in nature and as such requires a global approach to regulation; whereas the current regulatory situation in this sector comprises a series of inconsistent rules which vary enormously between the Member States;

Amendment 71 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas, for states to benefit from the advantages offered by PSCs, and to ensure that they can be held accountable, a legal framework should be put in place to ~~facilitate their use~~regulate their use and provide sufficient control over their activities; whereas PSCs are part of an industry, which is highly transnational in nature and as such requires a global approach to regulation;

Amendment 72 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas, for states to benefit from the advantages offered by PMSCs, and to ensure that they can be held accountable, a legal framework ~~should~~must be put in place to ~~facilit~~regulate their use; whereas PMSCs are part of an industry, which is highly transnational in nature and as such requires a global approach to regulation;

Amendment 73 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas, for states to benefit from the advantages offered by PSCs, and to ensure that they can be held accountable, a legal framework should be put in place to ~~facilit~~regulate their use; whereas PSCs are part of an industry, which is highly transnational in nature and as such requires a global approach to regulation;

Amendment 74 #

Doru-Claudian FRUNZULICĂ, Nicola CAPUTO, Eugen FREUND, Nikos ANDROULAKIS

Motion for a resolution
Recital J

J. whereas, as suggested by the definition included in the draft convention prepared by the UN Working Group on Mercenaries, a PSC can be defined as a corporate entity which provides on a compensatory basis military and/or security services by physical persons and/or legal entities; whereas military services in this context can be defined as specialised services related to military actions including strategic planning, intelligence, investigation, land, sea or air reconnaissance, flight operations of any type, manned or unmanned, satellite surveillance and intelligence, any kind of knowledge transfer with military applications, material and technical support to armed forces and other related activities; whereas security services can be defined as armed guarding or protection of buildings, installations, property and people, any kind of knowledge transfer with security and policing applications, development and implementation of informational security measures and other related activitiesit is vital that these contracts can be performed only under strict State supervision;

Amendment 75 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital J

J. whereas there is a lack of agreed definitions of PSCs, PMCs and of their services; whereas, as suggested by the definition included in the draft convention prepared by the UN Working Group on Mercenaries, a PSC can be defined as a corporate entity which provides on a compensatory basis military and/or security services by physical persons and/or legal entities; whereas military services in this context can be defined as specialised services related to military actions including strategic planning, intelligence, investigation, land, sea or air reconnaissance, flight operations of any type, manned or unmanned, satellite surveillance and intelligence, any kind of knowledge transfer with military applications, material and technical support to armed forces and other related activities; whereas security services can be defined as armed guarding or protection of buildings, installations, property and people, any kind of knowledge transfer with security and policing applications, development and implementation of informational security measures and other related activities;

Amendment 76 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

K. whereas the Montreux document is the first major document defining how international law applies to PSCs; whereas the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers (ICoC) defines industry standards and is increasingly proving to be a tool for ensuring common basic standards across a global industry; whereas the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Providers’ Association (ICoCA) has the aim of promoting, managing and supervising the implementation of the ICoC and encouraging the responsible provision of security services and respect for human rights and national and international law, but whereas affiliation to ICoCA is brought about by a voluntary act, accompanied by a payment, and the high membership charges do not permit all private security companies to become members;

Amendment 77 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

Amendment 78 #

Doru-Claudian FRUNZULICĂ, Nicola CAPUTO, Eugen FREUND, Nikos ANDROULAKIS

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

Amendment 79 #

M. whereas the EU and 23 Member States have joined the Montreux document and whereas the EU is a Member of the Working Group on the International Code of Conduct Association; whereas the EU contributes in the context of the Human Rights Council to the possible development of an international regulatory framework; whereas the EU plays a critical role in promoting national and regional control over the provision and export of various military and security services;

Amendment 8 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17

– having regard to the ~~continuing terrorist~~many different risks, challenges and threats within and outside the European Union~~’s borders~~,

Amendment 80 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital M a (new)

Ma. whereas the European Union does not have a regulatory framework of its own, despite the large number of PSCs of European origin and/or involved in missions and operations under the CSDP or EU delegations; whereas the existing regulatory frameworks are almost exclusively based on the American model, established during the Iraq war, which served the interests of military companies engaged in combat missions, but whereas these references correspond neither to the format nor to the missions of European PSCs;

Amendment 81 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital N

N. whereas it is of vital importance for the European Union to establish an earth observation capability in conjunction with the requisite downstream capability that would enable the collection and dissemination of geospatial intelligence for all European Union Member States; whereas Defence, Intelligence and National Security organisations need to exploit geospatial intelligence sources optimally to achieve decision advantage over potential adversaries; whereas large volumes of data need to be fused and layered in a simple and cost- effective manner to provide rapid insight for timely decision- making;deleted

Amendment 82 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital N

Amendment 83 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital N

Amendment 84 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital N

Amendment 85 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital N

Amendment 86 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital N

N. whereas it is of vital importance for the European Union to establish an earth observation capability in conjunction with the requisite downstream capability that would enable the collection and dissemination of geospatial intelligence for all European Union Member States; whereas the EU-funded Copernicus earth observation satellite system might provide observational data of sufficient quality to ensure security; whereas Defence, Intelligence and National Security organisations need to exploit geospatial intelligence sources optimally to achieve decision advantage over potential adversaries; whereas large volumes of data need to be fused and layered in a simple and cost- effective manner to provide rapid insight for timely decision-making;

Amendment 87 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital ΙΕ

O. whereas, in Europe’s current security environment, it is ~~vital to prioritise~~possible to seek the establishment of clear rules for cooperation and assistance between law enforcement ~~and~~, private security companies and the national armed forces;

Amendment 88 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital O

O. whereas, in Europe’'s current security environment, it is vital to prioritise the establishment of clear rules for cooperation, accountability and assistance between law enforcement and private security companies;

Amendment 89 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital O

O. whereas, i~~n Europe’s current security environment, it is vital~~t is of vital importance to prioritise the establishment of clear rules for interaction, cooperation and assistance between law enforcement and private security companies;

Amendment 9 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)

– having regard to the Interim Guidance of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in May 2002 relating to armed security personnel on board ships,

Amendment 90 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital P

~~P. whereas maritime safety at the Horn of Africa was provided not only by military, but also by private actors;~~deleted

Amendment 91 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital ΙΣΤ

P. whereas maritime safety at the Horn of Africa was provided not only by military, but also by private actors deployed in accordance with a specific legal and operational strategy under the full control of the commanding officer responsible for its implementation;

Amendment 92 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital Q

Q. whereas PSCs could play a more important role in the fight against piracy and in improving maritime security, in missions involving dogs, cyber defence, research and development of security tools, mixed surveillance missions and training in cooperation with public authorities;deleted

Amendment 93 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital Q

Q. whereas PMSCs could play a more important role in the fight against piracy and in improving maritime security, in missions involving dogs, cyber defence, research and development of security tools, mixed surveillance missions and training in cooperation with public authorities; whereas it is important to also stress the fact that the involvement of PMSCs in the fight against piracy has also led to serious still unresolved problems such as the killing of fishermen, the spread of uncontrolled floating armories and diplomatic conflicts between countries such as India and a number of EU Member States;

Amendment 94 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital Q

Q. whereas PSCs could play a more important role in the fight against piracy and in improving maritime security~~, in missions involving dogs, cyber defence, research and development of security tools, mixed surveillance missions and training in cooperation with public authorities~~; whereas the use of armed PSCs has created specific challenges for the maritime sector;

Amendment 95 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital Q

Amendment 96 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1

The use of Private Security Companies in support of the military abroad, under the exclusive supervision of the armed forces

Amendment 97 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Stresses that private security companies play a~~n important~~ complementary role in aiding the state’s military and civilian agencies by closing manpower and capability gaps created by budget cuts and increasing demand for the use of forces abroad; ~~emphasises the availability of surge capacity at short notice as an additional benefit of the private provision of security services;~~

Amendment 98 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Stresses that private security companies play an important role in aiding the state’s military and civilian agencies ~~by closing manpower and capability gaps created by budget cuts and increasing demand for the use of forces abroad;~~, emphasises the availability of surge capacity at short notice as, provided that circumstances so allow, as being an additional benefit of the private provision of security services;

Amendment 99 #