Accountability, transparency, and engagement are critical elements of any principles based system. Those overarching principles are no longer easily applied through one-size-fits-all measures. Those concerns are nicely encapsulated in the January-March 2026 Newsletter of The International Code of Conduct Association – ICoCA--"Technology and the future of private security." These are framed in this way for the Newsletter:
Private security providers operate in diverse and often complex environments where risks and regulatory contexts vary significantly. Ensuring respect for international human rights standards therefore requires approaches that are adapted to local realities while remaining consistent in their application. This newsletter explores how ICoCA’s context-specific engagement is shaping responsible security practices in different regions.
ICoCA "is a multi-stakeholder initiative formed in 2013 to ensure that providers of private security services respect human rights and humanitarian law. It serves as the governance and oversight mechanism of the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers." (ICoCA--About). The ICoCa summarizes its mission this way: "Our mission is to raise private security industry standards and practices that respect human rights and international humanitarian law and to engage with key stakeholders to achieve widespread adherence to the International Code of Conduct globally. Discover the benefits for each stakeholder group below."
Featured interventions include: (1) The end of plausible deniability: CSDDD and private security within the value chain; (2) Just transition through a community-based security model in Albania; (3) Empowering Mozambique's civil society for corporate accountability; (4) Towards stronger governance of private security in Nigeria; (5) Strengthening civil society advocacy in international decision-making processes; (6) Shaping private security governance in the Americas; and (7) ICoCA Responsible Security Awards 2025: Case studies highlights.
A French version of this newsletter is available here.
Local solutions for global standards |
|
Private security providers operate in diverse and often complex environments where risks and regulatory contexts vary significantly. Ensuring respect for international human rights standards therefore requires approaches that are adapted to local realities while remaining consistent in their application. This newsletter explores how ICoCA’s context-specific engagement is shaping responsible security practices in different regions. |
|
A French version of this newsletter is available here. |
|
| The end of plausible deniability: CSDDD and private security within the value chain |
|
Emerging legal frameworks, including the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), are strengthening corporate responsibility across global value chains, requiring companies to identify and address human rights and environmental risks across their operations and business relationships. This is particularly relevant for private security providers operating in complex environments, which are increasingly subject to enhanced due diligence and accountability expectations under evolving regulatory trends. |
|
For ICoCA, this reinforces its role as an operational due diligence framework for the sector. Through certification, field assessments and its grievance mechanism, the Association supports companies in translating these expectations into practice in high-risk contexts.It also highlights the need for consistent regional implementation capacity, at the heart of ICoCA’s Strategic Goal 1 on regionalisation, to ensure that global standards are effectively applied on the ground. |
|
|
| Just transition through a community-based security model in Albania |
|
ARB Security's community-based security model in Albania has received ICoCA’s Responsible Security Affiliate Award. By hiring locally, the model builds trust, integrates community concerns into operations and supports peaceful dispute resolution. ICoCA visited Albania in February for the award ceremony and conducted interviews to inform a case study. |
|
|
| Empowering Mozambique's civil society for corporate accountability |
|
In Mozambique, ICoCA, TRIAL International and CDD brought together local civil society organisations to build skills in documenting and monitoring corporate-related human rights abuses. Focused on the extractive sector’s complex security dynamics in Mozambique, the training emphasised victim-centred approaches, legal frameworks and practical tools for evidence gathering. |
|
|
| Towards stronger governance of private security in Nigeria |
|
In February, ICoCA visited Abuja to engage national stakeholders and strengthen oversight of the private security sector. The visit included high-level discussions, a two-day parliamentary retreat and a workshop with the NSCDC, addressing regulatory reform, responsible technology use, surveillance practices and Nigeria’s adherence to international standards. |
|
|
| Strengthening civil society advocacy in international decision-making processes |
|
ICoCA convened some of its African CSO members in Kenya for an advocacy training, strengthening their ability to influence global human rights and security decisions. The initiative aimed to amplify local voices and support the adoption of higher industry standards, marking an important step in building sustained engagement with international human rights processes. |
|
|
| Shaping private security governance in the Americas |
|
ICoCA expanded its engagement in the Americas through recent activities in Panama and Honduras. Following Panama’s membership in early 2026, ICoCA visited both countries in March, engaging with national authorities and to streghten private security governance. In Honduras, tailored training supported efforts to strengthen oversight and accountability. |
|
|
| ICoCA Responsible Security Awards 2025: Case studies highlights |
|
The ICoCA Responsible Security Awards 2025 and related submissions highlighted how private security companies and civil society partners advance responsible practices in complex and high-risk environments. The documented case studies demonstrate innovative approaches to human rights, community engagement, accountability and sustainable operations. The following two examples showcase different ways these principles are put into practice. |
|
| Community-led accountability in the mining sector |
| Promoting equal opportunities in private security |
|
 | | In high-risk mining areas, communities often face weak governance and few ways to raise grievances, leaving human rights concerns unaddressed. Launched in 2020, IPIS’s Kufatilia programme works with civil society partners to enable community-led monitoring and reporting across the sector. This case study illustrates how locally grounded initiatives can strengthen accountability, improve transparency and encourage more responsible mining practices. |
 | | The private security sector is often seen as male–dominated, limiting women’s access to meaningful roles – especially in conflict-affected settings. Since 2023, EXERA’s programme, developed with the NGO Step-In-Step-Up (SISU), has worked to address these barriers in Myanmar. This case study shows how targeted training and partnerships can expand opportunities for women and foster more inclusive practices across the sector. |
|
| Membership and certification |
|
Member monitoring
ICoCA handles complaints and monitors its Members and Affiliates regarding their compliance with the Code through remote tracking, mandatory reporting, in person site visits and through its civil society network. ICoCA is regularly publishing data on its monitoring and complaints functions, including allegations received.
To read the 2026 summary monitoring update, click here. |
|
|
ICoCA was pleased to welcome 6 new certified members, transitional members and affiliates from January to March 2026:- Abna’a Dijla for Security & Protection Services Ltd, Iraq (certified member)
- Alfa Marine Protection, Panama (certified member)
- Esood Al Barari Guard and Security Service Company, Iraq (transitional member)
- Magnum Security Services, Egypt (affiliate)
- Offin Security Services Limited, Ghana (affiliate)
- PAP Securite Services, Haiti (affiliate)
You can find the full Membership update for Q1 2026 here. |
|
The minutes of the Q4 2025 Board of Directors meeting, which took place on 20/11/2025, are available here.
All previous minutes are available on the ICoCA website. |
|
No comments:
Post a Comment