Hikvision USA has issued a response to recent concerns, expressed in the U.S. Congress and elsewhere, about the parent company’s involvement in surveillance of detention camps in the Xinjiang region of China.
According to a corporate spokesperson: “Hikvision takes these concerns very seriously and has engaged with the U.S. government regarding all of this since last October. In light of them, it has already retained human rights expert and former U.S. Ambassador Pierre-Richard Prosper to advise the company regarding human rights compliance.”
Separately, and related to cybersecurity concerns, the spokesperson comments: “Hikvision takes cybersecurity very seriously as a company and follows the laws and regulations in the markets we operate. The company has its products regularly tested for vulnerabilities and has received certifications for their cybersecurity standards, including the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology FIPS 140-2.”
2019 ESG report
Following are passages from the company’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report that was published in English on April 24, 2019.We have recently commissioned an internal review of our operations by the U.S. law firm, Arent Fox LLP"
This passage is from the Chief Compliance Officer's opening letter: “Over the past year, there have been numerous reports about ways that video surveillance products have been involved in human rights violations. We read every report seriously and are listening to voices from outside the Company. We are taking a hard look at our products and business."
"As part of this process, we have recently commissioned an internal review of our operations by the U.S. law firm, Arent Fox LLP, mandating it to look into relevant transactions so the Company can enhance its screening standards to better protect human rights. Arent Fox will also help us improve the policies that will help ensure human rights compliance going forward. As part of this effort, a high-level team from Arent Fox has already traveled to China twice.”
Human Rights Governance
Here is a section from the ESG report on Human Rights Governance: “Hikvision respects the human rights as set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in commercial practice.
A professional legal team investigates, recognises and tracks the laws and regulations"Meanwhile, we will incorporate these provisions into our business procedures and policies in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights Framework to enhance the value of our business activities.”
In 2018, the Company appointed the Chief Compliance Officer, responsible for promoting the compliance construction covering areas of human rights protection, data security and privacy protection as well as social responsibility, etc. A professional legal team investigates, recognises and tracks the laws and regulations applicable to global operation of the Company and carries out the construction of human rights compliance with the situation of the company.