At Cisco, we strongly imagine within the energy of the Web. The Web fosters free expression and accelerates the flexibility to coach, empower, and encourage folks world wide. There was no better pressure in making info extra accessible and alternatives extra out there.
Cisco is pleased with its legacy and its main position in powering the Web. With almost 40 years of networking expertise, we’ve helped clients and companions make schooling higher, infrastructure stronger, monetary companies safer, transportation safer, and first responders sooner.
We additionally acknowledge the inherent danger of this know-how being misused. Navigating this stability – securely connecting billions of individuals whereas respecting human rights – is core to who we’re at Cisco. Our gross sales actions are in strict compliance with U.S. export guidelines and laws, that are knowledgeable and guided by human rights ideas. We’ve got supported the United Nations International Compact (UNGC) since its inception in 2000, aligning our operations and methods with ten universally accepted ideas within the areas of human rights, labor, surroundings and anti-corruption. And our dedication to human rights continues to evolve to satisfy new challenges posed by the speedy tempo of change throughout the tech sector.
There was current protection in regards to the Ninth Circuit Court docket’s revival of a long-dormant lawsuit, which might permit Falun Gong to sue Cisco in U.S. courts for promoting off-the-shelf networking tools in China which will have been utilized by the Chinese language authorities to mistreat of Falun Gong members in China. This ruling by the Ninth Circuit, if it stands, would open the floodgates for fits in opposition to companies within the U.S. for human proper violations merely primarily based on authorized exports of products and companies. Cisco is deeply dedicated to human rights, and as we shared when this case was first filed in 2011, these claims are inaccurate and fully with out basis. The off-the-shelf networking tools at challenge on this explicit case was delivered greater than 20 years in the past, aligned with world business requirements, and was not modified for presidency use. Cisco has by no means custom-made our networking tools to assist the Chinese language authorities—or any authorities—censor content material, observe Web use by people, or intercept Web communications.
Whether or not a overseas authorities violated worldwide legislation by its therapy of its residents is a extremely delicate matter of overseas coverage, of which the Government Department of the U.S. authorities has comparative duty and experience. Holding U.S. suppliers responsible for the actions of overseas governments exterior of the U.S., has the potential to not solely disrupt the overseas coverage efforts of the U.S. authorities, but additionally result in a much less related, interoperable, and equitable world.
With these necessary points at stake, Cisco has appealed the courtroom’s resolution. We’ll proceed to advocate for a free and open Web, largely due to its potential to advance human rights. We will even proceed to observe the rule of legislation, promoting merchandise in strict compliance with U.S. commerce and export laws. And with out compromise, we’ll proceed to remain true to our core values – respecting human rights throughout all facets of our world operations.
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