Starbucks has been accused of failing to show a proper commitment to
human rights by siting a coffee store at the controversial Guantánamo
Bay detention centre in Cuba, where suspected terrorists are being held
indefinitely by the US military without charge.
UK human rights lawyer Gordon Quilty has challenged the company,
claiming that it should not be associated with an institution widely
condemned, by the European Union and others, for alleged human rights
abuses. In correspondence that he has published on the internet, Quilty
claims the Guantánamo Bay connection could ‘seriously damage your
company’s reputation and lead people to reconsider your commitment to
corporate social responsibility’.
Starbucks says it has many ‘foodservice locations’ in US military
installations, and points out: ‘Many of our customers and employees
believe it is important for Starbucks to support the men and women
serving their country.’ However, Quilty argues that support for US
troops ‘does not of itself mean that Starbucks cannot take a position
on such an important and serious issue’.
Although Starbucks has not promised to consider the issue directly, it
has pointed out that Starbucks managers are ‘working to create a robust
human rights policy’ to be published soon.
Other companies with outlets at Guantánamo Bay are being drawn into the
debate, among them McDonald’s, which has had an outlet at the military
base there since 1986. At least one, the security company Kroll, has
reportedly refused to become involved in work at the base for fear of
damaging its reputation.
