UN Global Compact Urges Members to Take Responsibility for Human Rights Abuses
The Chinese flag flies behind a surveillance camera (Reuters)
A Chinese state-owned surveillance giant that plays a significant role in the mass surveillance and detainment of Uyghur Muslims is now part of a United Nations “sustainability initiative” focused on combating climate change and addressing human rights abuses. Hikvision, a company blacklisted by the U.S. due to its involvement in the Chinese government’s ongoing genocide in Xinjiang, has announced its membership in the United Nations Global Compact, according to a statement released on Tuesday.
The United Nations Global Compact, established in 2000, is comprised of thousands of companies worldwide that pledge to support U.N. goals and implement universal sustainability principles related to human rights, labor, the environment, and anti-corruption. Hikvision claims that its inclusion in the compact reflects its commitment to “Tech for Good” and has pledged to ensure that it is not complicit in human rights abuses.
However, Hikvision’s actions in China tell a different story. The company’s cameras are an integral part of the Chinese Communist Party’s surveillance system, which is used to track and detain Uyghurs in Xinjiang. Hikvision, which reports to the Chinese government through its largest shareholder, has entered into government contracts in Xinjiang that explicitly mention the surveillance of Uyghurs and mosques. Its technology has been used to aid in the detention of Uyghurs flagged for traveling abroad, and its cameras are present in the CCP’s mass detention facilities in Xinjiang. In fact, Hikvision even marketed a camera in 2019 that can automatically identify Uyghurs.
This revelation highlights China’s increasing influence within the United Nations, as the country has been actively placing its officials in leadership positions and securing a seat on the organization’s influential human rights council panel. Hikvision’s membership in the U.N. Global Compact could also pose challenges for the Biden administration, which has proposed collaborating with the compact to vet federal contractors.
In May 2021, President Joe Biden issued an executive order calling for major federal contractors to disclose their carbon emissions and establish science-based reduction targets. The U.N. Global Compact, which co-founded the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in 2015, is involved in the implementation of this order. However, Republican lawmakers have expressed concerns about the federal government’s oversight of SBTi, particularly due to its connections with blacklisted Chinese companies like Hikvision.
In addition to Hikvision, another Chinese video surveillance company called Dahua Technology is also a member of the U.N. Global Compact. Dahua, like Hikvision, is partially owned by the Chinese government and has been involved in providing equipment to Xinjiang authorities and developing facial recognition technology that targets Uyghurs. Both Hikvision and Dahua have been banned from selling products in the United States by the Federal Communications Commission.
Hikvision’s recent addition to the U.N. Global Compact’s member list has raised concerns, as the compact’s principles emphasize the importance of not being complicit in human rights abuses and supporting the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights. The compact’s headquarters are located in New York City and it is led by Sanda Ojiambo, a Kenyan national. Left-wing philanthropic networks in the U.S., such as the Rockefeller Foundation, have a history of collaborating with the compact and supporting initiatives like SBTi.
Neither Hikvision nor the Biden administration have responded to requests for comment.
How does the inclusion of Hikvision in the United Nations Global Compact affect the effectiveness and credibility of the initiative in addressing human rights abuses?
In key positions and leveraging its economic power to shape global policies. The inclusion of Hikvision in the United Nations Global Compact raises serious concerns about the effectiveness and credibility of the initiative in addressing human rights abuses.
Human rights organizations and activists have long criticized China’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang, which includes mass surveillance, arbitrary detention, cultural assimilation, and forced labor. The Chinese government has denied these allegations and portrays its actions as necessary to combat terrorism and extremism. However, mounting evidence suggests a state-sponsored campaign of repression and control targeting the Uyghur population.
The United Nations Global Compact provides a platform for companies to showcase their commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices. However, by allowing a company like Hikvision to join, the Compact risks undermining its own stated goals. It sends a message that companies involved in human rights abuses can still be part of the initiative as long as they pledge to do better.
The case of Hikvision raises important questions about the due diligence process followed by the United Nations Global Compact when admitting new members. Should a company with a track record of involvement in human rights abuses even be considered for membership in the first place? While engagement and dialogue with such companies may be seen as a way to bring about change, it is crucial to ensure that in doing so, the integrity and credibility of the Compact are not compromised.
Moreover, the inclusion of Hikvision in the Compact also highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability within the United Nations. It is essential to establish clear guidelines and criteria for membership and monitor the actions and commitments of member companies more closely. This includes mechanisms for independent auditing and verification to ensure that companies are truly upholding the principles and values of the Global Compact.
The United Nations Global Compact, as a leading initiative stressing the importance of responsible business practices, must take a strong stance against companies involved in human rights abuses. By admitting a company like Hikvision, it not only risks tarnishing its own reputation but also undermines the efforts of organizations and individuals fighting for human rights around the world.
It is imperative for the United Nations to reassess its policies and procedures, and to hold member companies accountable for their actions. The Compact needs to send a clear message that companies involved in human rights abuses will not be tolerated or accepted as members. Only by taking a firm stand on this issue can the United Nations Global Compact maintain its credibility and contribute to creating a world where human rights are respected and protected.
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