Human Rights Policy

Our Policies

Human Rights Policy

Black Pearl Maritime Security Management Limited respects and supports the protection of internationally recognised human rights in every operation it undertakes. As a Private Maritime Security Company providing armed and unarmed teams in High Risk Areas, we recognise that our work brings us into contact with situations where the conduct of security personnel can have a direct bearing on the dignity, safety and fundamental rights of individuals. This policy sets out our unequivocal commitment to upholding those rights at all times.

Our Framework

Our approach is grounded in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. As a maritime security provider we align our conduct with the Montreux Document on private military and security companies and with the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers (ICoC), and we operate in a manner consistent with the principles of the ICoC Association (ICoCA). We comply fully with the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 and take active steps to ensure that slavery, servitude, forced labour and human trafficking have no place in our operations or supply chains.

Use of Force and Treatment of Persons

The use of force by our personnel is always governed by the principles of necessity, proportionality and graduated response, and is exercised only in self-defence or the defence of others against an imminent threat to life. Our Rules for the Use of Force reflect these principles. We prohibit absolutely any act of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and we require that any person taken into temporary custody — for example following an attempted boarding — is treated humanely and handed over to the appropriate lawful authority at the earliest opportunity.

• We do not engage in, support or tolerate any form of trafficking in persons, forced or bonded labour, or sexual exploitation and abuse.
• We respect the rights of seafarers, including those of any nationality aboard the vessels we protect, without discrimination.
• We prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, nationality, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic.
• We require our suppliers, agents and floating armoury partners to uphold equivalent standards.

Vetting and Training

All personnel are vetted to confirm that they have no history of involvement in human rights abuses, and are trained in the human rights dimensions of their role, including the lawful use of force, the humane treatment of detained persons and the recognition of trafficking and exploitation at sea. Personnel who breach this policy are subject to disciplinary action and, where appropriate, are reported to the relevant authorities.

Reporting and Remediation

We provide confidential channels, including our Whistleblowing Policy, through which personnel and third parties can report any concern relating to human rights without fear of reprisal. Credible allegations are investigated promptly and impartially, and where we identify that we have caused or contributed to an adverse human rights impact, we will cooperate in lawful processes of remediation.

This Human Rights Policy is endorsed by the Board, communicated to all personnel and business partners, and reviewed at least annually.