Private security services abroad
The Federal Council has taken note of the 8th activity report on the implementation of the Federal Act on Private Security Services Provided Abroad (PSSA). According to the Act, companies wishing to provide private security services abroad from Switzerland are obliged to notify the competent authority in advance. In 2023, the FDFA received 95 notifications from companies. No ban was imposed.
The unit responsible for implementing the PSSA is the Export Control and Private Security Services Section (SEPS) of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). As in the previous year, a total of 95 activities from various activity categories were reported in 2023. The SEPS 2023 initiated a review procedure, but no ban was issued. No private security services that could lead to direct participation in hostilities or serious human rights violations were identified in 2023. Such activities are prohibited under Articles 8 and 9 of the PSSA. As a result of its inspections, the SEPS filed criminal charges with the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland in three cases for violations of the duty to report and the duty to cooperate.
Strengthening cooperation at national and international level
The activities of the authority were characterized by increased cooperation, both at national and international level. With regard to the use of security companies for protection tasks abroad by federal authorities, various instruments were made available by the FDFA.
The changing global security situation has led to a growing influence of non-state actors such as private military and security companies (PMSCs). In its function as the federal government's competence center for private military and security companies, the competent authority monitors these activities on an ongoing basis and advocates better regulation and an improved exchange of information at international level.
At national level, the competent authority continued its information and awareness-raising work with companies that could potentially be affected by the PSSA in 2023. The focus was particularly on companies that are active in the field of intelligence activities.
Source: DFA
