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Shareholders Squeeze Cisco on Human Rights

Posted by timothy on from the where-freedom-is-a-dirty-word dept.

Comatose51 writes "According to this article at Wired, Boston Common Asset Management, has filed a shareholders resolution asking Cisco to 'adopt a comprehensive human rights policy for its dealings with the Chinese government, and with other states practicing political censorship of the internet.' Cisco so far has asked the SEC to omit this proposal from the agenda for the next annual meeting, claiming that it already has a comprehensive human rights policy in place and that 'Cisco does not participate in any way in any censorship activities in the People's Republic of China ...' However, 'a report from the OpenNet Initiative watchdog group last April singled out Cisco for allegedly enabling the Chinese government's notorious "Great Firewall."' As a shareholder in Cisco, I would like to see this issue discussed and voted on."

4 of 264 comments (clear)

  1. They're missing the point by melted · · Score: 4, Informative

    Cisco does not engage in censorship. They simply make equipment which can be used to engage in censorship. Similarly to a company that makes matches that can be used for arson, or Proctor and Gamble whose Clorox bleach can be used as poison.

    There is no way to tell Chinese government what they can and can not do at this point. It would be nearly fatal to impose stiff tariffs, too. So bend over and hand the Chinese that bottle of vaseline.

  2. Socially Responsiblie Investing by Misch · · Score: 4, Informative

    It's called "Socially Responsible Investing". One of the interesting things I learned at the Great Hudson River Revival is that there are many different mutual funds out there that invest in socially and environmentally responsible companies.

    And yes, some of these funds do "beat the street" when it comes to performance. It may take a little work, but you might be able to convince your employer to make it possible for you to put pre-tax money into these funds. (For a 401(k) for example)

    Google search: SRI investing

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    --You will rephrase your request for me to go to hell. Goto statements are not acceptable programming constructs
  3. Re:Why do they care? by tkrotchko · · Score: 3, Informative

    Shareholders are allowed to care about whatever they want. It's their company.

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    You were mistaken. Which is odd, since memory shouldn't be a problem for you
  4. Is this but an advert for business doing business? by threaded · · Score: 2, Informative

    From http://www.bostoncommonasset.com/ Boston Common Asset Management is a full-service, employee-owned social investment firm dedicated to the pursuit of financial return and social change.
    i.e. they are in the business of asking companies like Cisco stuff like this. It is there unique selling point, it is how they make money.

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    threadeds blog