At Cisco, we strongly imagine within the energy of the Web. The Web fosters free expression and accelerates the flexibility to teach, empower, and encourage individuals all over the world. There was no better drive in making info extra accessible and alternatives extra out there.
Cisco is pleased with its legacy and its main function in powering the Web. With almost 40 years of networking expertise, we’ve helped prospects and companions make schooling higher, infrastructure stronger, monetary companies safer, transportation safer, and first responders quicker.
We additionally acknowledge the inherent danger of this know-how being misused. Navigating this steadiness – 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 rules, that are knowledgeable and guided by human rights ideas. We now have 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, setting and anti-corruption. And our dedication to human rights continues to evolve to fulfill new challenges posed by the speedy tempo of change throughout the tech sector.
There was current protection concerning 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 gear in China that 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 towards firms 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 completely with out basis. The off-the-shelf networking gear at challenge on this explicit case was delivered greater than 20 years in the past, aligned with world trade requirements, and was not modified for presidency use. Cisco has by no means custom-made our networking gear 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 remedy 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 answerable for the actions of overseas governments outdoors 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 linked, interoperable, and equitable world.
With these vital points at stake, Cisco has appealed the courtroom’s choice. We are going to proceed to advocate for a free and open Web, largely due to its skill to advance human rights. We may even proceed to observe the rule of legislation, promoting merchandise in strict compliance with U.S. commerce and export rules. And with out compromise, we are going to proceed to remain true to our core values – respecting human rights throughout all elements of our world operations.
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