Read the Initial Assessment published by the NCP 18 December 2024: English
Read the Final Statement published by the NCP 25 June 2025: English
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On 25 August 2024, two individuals from Nepal submitted a specific instance to the Swiss NCP alleging that Visa Facilitation Services (VFS) Global, a privately-owned company headquartered in the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland, a leading outsourcing and technology service specialist providing visa, passport and consular services for governments and diplomatic missions , had not observed the General Policies (Chapter II) and Human Rights (Chapter IV) provisions of the Guidelines. Specifically, issues concern the due diligence of the company regarding possible human rights violations that occurred because of the construction of a business complex, called Chhaya Center, in Kathmandu, Nepal. According to the submitters, this business complex was built on land that has religious and cultural significance to indigenous persons and communities. The submitting parties believe that these aspects should have been considered when entering in a business relationship with the business centre through leasing contracts and that the company should have engaged with local stakeholders.
On 18 December 2024, the Swiss NCP published its Initial Assessment, deciding to accept the case for further examination. During this phase, VFS informed the NCP of its decision not to renew its lease at the Chhaya Center and to relocate as soon as feasible. Since the lease was still active at the time, the NCP proceeded with the case and offered its good offices to help both parties gain a clearer understanding of the issues raised. The NCP discussed next steps with both parties and, as VFS cited concerns about the ongoing proceedings at the Supreme Court of Nepal, the process was concluded without a direct dialogue between the parties.
On 25 June 2025, the Swiss NCP published a final statement, concluding the case without an agreement between the parties. The NCP nevertheless thanked both parties for their constructive and transparent engagement. In the statement, the NCP further noted reprisals reported against the submitting party by local Nepalese actors, not VFS, and took measures to protect them in line with the NCP’s case-handling procedures, and reaffirmed that reprisals or threats thereof were not acceptable.
The NCP issued the following recommendations to VFS:
- engagement in future similar dialogues
- responsible disengagement from its lease agreement at the Chhaya Center.
The NCP does not plan to follow up on the implementation of the recommendations.