Read the initial assessment issued by the UK NCP concluding the specific instance - 10 December 2014

In August 2014 the UK NCP received a request for review from an NGO alleging that a US subsidiary of a UK-based company in the security sector had breached the human rights provisions of the Guidelines in Cuba. More specifically the NGO alleged that the company had contracted with the US Navy to provide support services to the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba and that taking the contract is inconsistent with human rights obligations under the OECD Guidelines, as well as with the parent company’s own human rights policy.

The NGO wanted the company to cease to provide services under the contract, and also to provide the NGO with details of the contract, details of its policies, and due diligence relating to this and any similar contracts supporting US counter-terror operations, including any measures to mitigate adverse human rights impacts.

The NCP undertook and initial assessment, during the course of which it contacted the company who accepted the invitation to respond to the allegations. The company denied the allegations and noted that its influence over the subsidiary’s decisions was limited by US Government foreign ownership and control procedures applying to companies that may access classified information or undertake classified tasks. The company also noted that it was divesting itself of the subsidiary, and has subsequently confirmed that the subsidiary has been divested.

After conducting its initial assessment the UK NCP concluded that the specific instance did not merit further consideration by the UK NCP and recommended that the NGO submit their request to the US NCP. This conclusion does not mean that the UK NCP is making any finding about whether the issues raised are material and substantiated.