Dr. Jelena Aparac

Dr. Jelena Aparac is an internationally recognized expert with over 20 years of experience in international peace and security, transitional justice, and human rights. Her distinguished career spans high-level roles in academia, international organizations, and non-governmental institutions, where she has consistently shaped policy and practice. Dr. Aparac has held pivotal positions, including as a former member and Chair-Rapporteur of the UN Working Group on the Use of Mercenaries, appointed by the UN Human Rights Council. In this role, she led critical investigations into the activities of the Wagner Group and addressed the use of mercenaries and private military and security companies (PMSCs).  She is a recognized authority on Business and Human Rights in Armed Conflicts, regularly contributing to intergovernmental discussions and negotiations on the proposed business and human rights treaty and a future instrument on PMSC regulation. As a member of the International Expert Group on International Criminal Law and Climate Change, hosted by UCLA, she contributed to drafting the crime of ecocide. Dr. Aparac’s career includes extensive field experience with Doctors Without Borders (MSF), where she served as a legal advisor in conflict zones, including South Sudan, Chad/Darfur, the DRC, and the CAR. Her early work in post-conflict Croatia focused on fostering intercultural and interreligious dialogue in conflict-affected communities. In her academic capacity, she delivers lectures and presentations at leading academic institutions worldwide. She is the author of the seminal book Business et droits de l’homme dans les conflits armés and numerous other publications in the field. She serves on the editorial board of the Business and Human Rights Journal and co-edits the Armed Groups and International Law academic blog. Dr. Aparac holds a PhD from the University of Paris Nanterre (CEDIN Research Centre) and an LLM from the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights. She was selected member of the UN Senior Women Talent Pipeline, a Secretary-General initiative promoting women in senior UN leadership roles.