2020 Annual Report

Respecting Human Rights

Huawei adheres to all applicable international and national laws and policies and develops products and services in compliance with international standards and certifications. Huawei respects all basic human rights as promoted by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We strive to ensure that our business activities will not adversely impact human rights. Huawei has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) since 2004, and is also a member of the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA). In addition, Huawei is committed to the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and standards released by the International Labor Organization (ILO), among others.

Huawei believes that connectivity is a basic right for every human being. We are committed to building better network connectivity and providing convenient and affordable information and communications services to billions of people around the world using our innovative technologies. Ubiquitous broadband and connectivity will create new jobs, promote development, decrease poverty, and improve quality of life. In addition, connectivity will help us respond to global challenges, reduce the human impact on the environment, and provide essential communications services to support rescue and relief efforts during natural disasters.

Key Areas

Building on its existing corporate sustainable development organization, Huawei has strengthened its management of key areas that may have an impact on human rights. This team is responsible for managing and overseeing any adverse impact on human rights that may exist within our business activities and supply chain.

• Ensure that technology is used to benefit humanity: Technology should be used to enhance human, social, and environmental well-being. Huawei opposes the misuse of technology that may have an adverse impact on human rights. We carefully evaluate the long-term and potential impact of our new technologies on society in the design, development, and use of our products, and work hard to ensure that our products and services are used in accordance with their commercial purpose. To address the unknown risks that may arise from the widespread use of new technologies, Huawei has expanded its existing processes and governance programs, and we are committed to working with our suppliers, partners, and customers to manage any potential negative impact of technology development.
• Protecting privacy: Huawei attaches great importance to privacy protection, and we take our responsibilities seriously. We comply with all applicable privacy laws worldwide, including the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Huawei has embedded privacy protection requirements into our corporate governance and every phase of our personal data processing lifecycle. We follow the principles of privacy and security by design and by default and conduct privacy impact assessments before the release of any product or service, especially when they involve sensitive personal data or sensitive usage. Huawei also requires our suppliers to comply with requirements for personal data protection. A total of 473 Huawei privacy professionals have been certified by the International Association of Privacy Experts (IAPP), placing Huawei among the top companies globally.
• Safeguarding labor rights: Huawei supports and protects the rights of its employees through detailed, equitable regulations that cover all stages of an employee's relationship with the company, including recruitment, employment, and exit. We are committed to providing equal opportunities for all employees. When it comes to employee recruitment, promotion, and compensation, we do not discriminate against anyone on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, age, or disability. We prohibit the use of forced labor, whether overt or covert, and all use of child labor.
• Maintaining a responsible supply chain: Huawei works closely with our suppliers. We comply with our customers' sustainability requirements and any audit requests. In turn, we require that our suppliers respect the rights of their employees, build sustainability systems that conform to industry standards, and comply with legal requirements with regards to environmental protection, health and safety, privacy, and anti-bribery compliance. Huawei has a comprehensive qualification process for all new suppliers, and carries out annual audits on current suppliers. All suppliers are evaluated based on their sustainability performance, the results of onsite audits, and the completion of any corrective actions.

Respecting human rights has been a long-standing focus for Huawei. In compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and standards, we actively communicate with international organizations, governments, and industry institutions to develop human rights standards and guidelines in the use of new technologies, especially those technologies that are likely to be widely adopted. At the same time, we will redouble efforts to raise awareness of human rights among all of our employees and will optimize management mechanisms to promptly identify, manage, and mitigate any related vulnerabilities or impact within our organization.