Private security services provided abroad
In 2021, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) received 157 notifications from companies wishing to provide private security services abroad from Switzerland. A total of three investigation procedures were initiated, but no ban was imposed.
Private security services provided abroad declined sharply last year. Numerous activities fulfilled According to the current activity report of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) does not provide a new and more precise definition of private security services.
The impact of the revised regulation mainly concerned services for armed or security forces. For this group, the number of notifications in 2021 was still about one-tenth of the number submitted in the previous year.
A total of 157 reports were received. These mainly concerned three groups of activities: personal protection and the guarding of goods or properties, as well as support for armed and security forces and, most recently, private intelligence activities. The Export Control and Private Security Services Section (SEPS) initiated three investigation procedures but did not issue a ban.
Market observation
At the international level, the FDFA SEPS Section participated in the dialogue on standards for private security companies and on measures to control their activities, for example when new technologies are increasingly offered and operated by specialized private companies for the benefit of states.
Private military and security companies (PMSCs), for example, have also been the focus of public interest. Last year, for example, the presence of the Russian Wagner Group in sub-Saharan Africa regularly made headlines. The FDFA is following these developments closely as a matter of respect for international law, as it stated in its press release. writes.
The activity report was taken note of by the Federal Council at the end of June.
Source: DFA/Editorial Office
