New Barclays Campaign launched - take action here
Campaign News | Wednesday, 22 August 2007
Protest against Barclays discrimation today
Barclays bank has closed the London bank accounts of two Cuban organisations in order to comply with illegal US blockade legislation against Cuba.
Such action is illegal under British law and discriminates against Cuba. CSC is calling on the British government to act now against such measures.
Please help by writing to the Minister for Trade and Industry today and call on them protest to the US government and penalise Barclays for putting US blockade legislation above British law.
A draft letter is attached below or you can read the background infromation at http://www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk/cubasi_article.asp?ArticleID=77 and write in your own words.
WRITE NOW TO:
Sir Digby Jones
Minister of State for Trade and Investment
Dept. for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
1 Victoria Street
London
SW1H OET
or email dti.enquiries@dti.gsi.gov.uk
DRAFT LETTER
Dear Sir Digby Jones
Barclays bank and the blockade against Cuba
I would like to bring to your attention the discriminatory trade practices being adopted by some companies operating in the UK against Cuba, Cuban companies and Cuban nationals.
In particular, it has recently been reported that Barclays bank closed the UK accounts of two British-based Cuban organisations, citing the need to comply with different regulations around the world. This is clearly a reference to the extra-territorial aspects of United States' Cuban blockade legislation.
As you are no doubt aware, this legislation aims to stop companies from third countries from trading goods and services with Cuba in order for them to comply with the illegal trade embargo imposed by the United States.
In my opinion, Barclays bank are applying the blockade against Cuba in the UK under pressure from the United States. This is against British law, against British trade interests, and is also discriminatory.
Therefore I would like to know what is the British government’s position on the extra-territorial nature of the US legislation against Cuba and what steps you are taking to ensure British laws and interests are being protected?
I also call on you to undertake the following actions:
? make urgent and robust representations to the relevant US authorities to cease the application of these illegal trade measures.
? Penalise those companies which comply with US extra-territorial legislation over and above UK laws.
I look forward to your early response.
Yours sincerely,
