The Olympic Flame Turns Up Heat on Sponsors

Corporate Social Responsibility Rhetoric Does Not Match Reality

With little time remaining until the start of the Beijing Games, corporate sponsors of the Olympics should speak out about the deteriorating human rights situation in China or risk lasting damage to their brands.

The twelve highest level corporate benefactors of the Beijing Games, known as the TOP (“The Olympic Partner”) sponsors, are Atos Origin, Coca-Cola, General Electric, Manulife, Johnson & Johnson, Kodak, Lenovo, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Samsung and Visa. GE is in an especially prominent position as a TOP Sponsor and the parent company of NBC, the US broadcaster of the Games. According to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC)’s most recent quadrennial review, corporate sponsorships and broadcast fees accounted for 87 percent of IOC revenue between 2001 and 2004.

In advance of the Beijing Olympics, Human Rights Watch has documented an acceleration in human rights abuses directly related to preparations for the Games. Those include ongoing violations of media freedom and an intensifying crackdown against Chinese citizens who speak out publicly against the Games, including human rights defenders, and the crackdown in Tibetan areas which began in March 2008.  On April 17, 2008, Human Rights Watch pointed out that “The TOP sponsors have remained largely silent about these developments.”

Coca-Cola Company CEO Neville Isdell and IOC President Rogge shake hands on the Tower of the Great Wall outside Beijing. © 2008 Reuters.

Corporate Social Reponsibility

The TOP sponsors of the Beijing Games have remained largely silent about human rights abuses in China, despite their widely publicized commitments to the principles of corporate social responsibility and human rights. The Coca-Cola Company and General Electric, for example, are members of the Business Leaders Initiative on Human Rights (BLIHR), a group of companies that pledge to apply human rights principles in their businesses and urge other companies to do the same. General Electric’s own human rights policy states, “GE seeks to advance human rights by leading by example – through our interactions with customers and suppliers, the products we offer and our relationships with communities and governments.”

Despite their varying policies on corporate social responsibility, the sponsors are uniform in their eagerness to excuse themselves from saying anything about the deteriorating human rights situation in China (http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/04/16/china18573.htm). Several Olympic sponsors claim erroneously that human rights concerns are “political,” when in fact human rights provide the foundation on which legitimate political activity can take place.

A visitor reads handouts while walking past Lenovo computers billboard in Beijing. © 2008 Reuters.

For Consumers and Shareholders

“Human rights should be fundamental to any lawful society and serve as the bedrock principles of Olympism. Particularly when abuses are a direct result of the Olympics, companies should never stay silent or try to dismiss the abuses as peripheral. The payment of tens of millions of dollars to sponsor the Olympic should increase the duty to speak out, rather than provide an excuse for cowardly silence."

Arvind Ganesan, Director of Human Rights Watch’s Business and Human Rights Program.

Since September 2007, Human Rights Watch has repeatedly corresponded with all of the TOP Sponsors and other sponsors of the Beijing Games. By mid-April 2008, Human Rights Watch had met with Coca-Cola, General Electric, and Lenovo, as well as Microsoft (an Olympics supplier), and  scheduled a meeting with Visa.  Despite their varying policies on corporate social responsibility, the sponsors are uniform in their eagerness to excuse themselves from saying anything about the deteriorating human rights situation in China. Several Olympic sponsors claim erroneously that human rights concerns are “political,” when in fact human rights provide the foundation on which legitimate political activity can take place.

A man walks in front of the headquarters of Samsung Group in Seoul. © 2008 Reuters.

Take Action

“Shareholders and consumers who care about human rights should not let Olympic corporate sponsors off the hook"

Arvind Ganesan, Director of Human Rights Watch’s Business and Human Rights Program.

The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games should be a historic opportunity for human rights improvements in China. But instead of honoring press freedom and other human rights pledges, the Chinese government has jailed human rights advocates, is cracking down on protest in Tibet, and is harassing journalists to choke off any possible expressions of dissent ahead of the Games.

Yet despite their well-publicized pledges on corporate social responsibility and human rights, Olympic sponsors of the Beijing Games have remained largely silent about these developments. The 12 powerful worldwide “TOP” sponsors— including Coca-Cola, General Electric, McDonalds, Kodak and Samsung—literally pay for the Games, and therefore have a unique opportunity to influence the Chinese government. Shareholders and consumers who care about human rights and the rule of law in China should not let Olympic sponsors off the hook.

Take Action! Encourage these companies to live up to their own policies on corporate social responsibility by clicking here to send an email, or by writing to the addresses listed below.

A visitor reads handouts while walking past Lenovo computers billboard in Beijing. © 2008 Reuters.

In Their Own Words: The TOP Sponsors’ Statements on CSR

Atos | Origin | Coca-Cola |General Electric | Manulife | Johnson & Johnson |Kodak |Lenovo | McDonald's |Omega |Panasonic |Samsung | Visa


1. Atos Origin (France) [Top]

Company policy on social responsibility:
"Everyone at Atos Origin understands the importance of working in harmony with our environment in today's world...We acknowledge that we have a corporate responsibility and commitment to the communities in the countries where we work and where our clients, partners and suppliers are present. This is not something we teach or demand, it is simply something our people do and want to do."
From Atos' website http://www.atosorigin.com/en-us/About_Us/sustainability/

What Atos said about human rights and the Olympics:

Atos Origin has not publicly commented on China's failure to uphold the human rights commitments it made when it was awarded the Beijing Olympics, or on the killings and continuing crackdown in Tibet.

MAILING ADDRESS:

Mr. Philippe Germond
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Atos OriginTour les Miroirs - Bat C
18, avenue d'Alsace
92926 Paris La Défense 3 Cedex France


2. Coca-Cola (US), also a sponsor of the Torch Relay [Top]

Company policy on social responsibility:

"At The Coca-Cola Company, we believe that an unwavering commitment to human rights is fundamental to the way we conduct our business."
- Neville Isdell, Chairman and CEO (quoted in Business Wire, August 23, 2007)

What Coca-Cola said about human rights and the Olympics:

"While it would be an inappropriate role for sponsors to comment on the political situation of individual nations, as the longest standing sponsor of the Olympic movement, we firmly believe that the Olympics are a force for good." (quoted in The Washington Post, March 22, 2008)

MAILING ADDRESS: 

Mr. Neville Isdell
Chief Executive Officer
Coca Cola Company
P.O. Box 1734
Atlanta, GA 30301



3. General Electric / NBC (US) [Top]

Company policy on social responsibility:

"GE seeks to advance human rights by leading by example - through our interactions with customers and suppliers, the products we offer and our relationships with communities and governments. Given our size and reach, this is a massive undertaking. That is why we remain steadily committed to upholding the human rights values embedded within our integrity policy, The Spirit & The Letter, and our Statement of Principles on Human Rights. [...] GE, as a business enterprise, promotes the advancement of fundamental human rights. We support the principles contained in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR), mindful that it is primarily addressed to nations but understanding that business has an important role to play. GE has joined with other companies to find practical ways of applying within the business community the broad principles established in the Declaration."

From GE's website http://www.ge.com/company/citizenship/humanrights/index.html

What GE said about human rights and the Olympics:

From a statement: "We're proud to be a sponsor and our plans aren't changing. Our position overall is that the Olympics are a force for good."
-GE spokeswoman Deirdre Latour (quoted in Press & Sun Bulletin, April 6, 2008)

MAILING ADDRESS: 

Mr. Jeffrey Immelt
Chief Executive Officer
General Electric Company
3135 Easton Turnpike
Fairfield, CT 06828-0001



4. John Hancock (US), subsidiary of the Canadian company Manulife [Top]

Company policy on social responsibility:

"We value our good name and strive to maintain high standards of integrity in everything we do. Operating in an ethical manner is essential to our success. Our customers, investors and other stakeholders rely on us to be honest and fair. We must behave ethically in the communities where we operate in order to maintain the confidence of all of our stakeholders and ultimately to keep their business. It is in our best interest to set high standards for ourselves at all times and to align ourselves with agents and representatives, suppliers and business associates who have similar high standards of business conduct. "

From John Hancock's website: http://www.johnhancock.com/about/abo_community.jsp

What John Hancock's parent company Manulife said about human rights and the Olympics:
"We share your horror of the genocide that has been taking place in Darfur, and your desire to see the humanitarian crisis there resolved as quickly as possible. As an Olympic sponsor, we firmly believe in the spirit of the Olympic movement, and do not feel that it is our place to make political demands of our hosts."
- Robert Cook, senior executive vice-president at Manulife
(quoted in The Globe and Mail, April 9, 2008)

MAILING ADDRESS: 

Mr. John DesPrez III
President and Chief Executive Officer
John Hancock Life Insurance
John Hancock Tower
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, MA 02116

5. Johnson & Johnson (US) [Top]

Company policy on social responsibility:

"We are responsible to the communities in which we live and work and to the world community as well. We must be good citizens - support good works and charities and bear our fair share of taxes. We must encourage civic improvements and better health and education. We must maintain in good order the property we are privileged to use, protecting the environment and natural resources."
From Johnson & Johnson's website: http://www.jnj.com/our_company/our_credo/index.htm;jsessionid=XT0JWFR2RK...

What Johnson and Johnson said about human rights and the Olympics:
"Johnson & Johnson is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of people around the world. We do that best by developing products that help people live healthier lives." (statement quoted in The Independent, February 15, 2008)

MAILING ADDRESS:

Mr. William C. Weldon
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Johnson & Johnson
One Johnson & Johnson Plaza
New Brunswick, NJ 08933



6. Kodak (US) [Top]

Company policy on social responsibility:
"We believe that doing well by shareholders also means doing right by customers, employees, neighbors, and suppliers. With that in mind, Kodak operates its facilities, and designs and markets its products and services, not only to increase shareholder value, but also to promote development of the individual, the well being of the community, and respect for the environment." Corporate Responsibility Principles include:
1. Kodak conducts its business activities to high ethical standards.
2. Kodak respects internationally accepted legal principles, and obeys the laws of countries in which it does business.
3. Kodak is committed to sound corporate governance. In this regard, the Company's diverse, independent Board of Directors has adopted publicly available governance principles.
From Kodak's website http://www.kodak.com/global/en/corp/corporateResponsibility/principles.j...

Kodak has not publicly commented on China's failure to uphold the human rights commitments it made when it was awarded the Beijing Olympics, or on the killings and continuing crackdown in Tibet.

MAILING ADDRESS:    

Mr. Antonio M. Perez
Chief Executive Officer
Eastman Kodak Company 
343 State Street
Rochester, New York 14650-0948

7. Lenovo (US / China), also a sponsor of the Torch Relay [Top]

Company policy on social responsibility:

"Just as Lenovo is dedicated to providing innovative technologies, the company is equally devoted to ensuring that its products, employees, sites and suppliers are following the commitments it has made to socially responsible business practices. Lenovo is committed to the highest standards of integrity and responsibility when working with all stakeholders."

From Lenovo's website http://www.pc.ibm.com/ww/lenovo/about/sustainability/

What Lenovo said about human rights and the Olympics:
In a statement, Lenovo said the company is following news reports from Tibet "with concern and regret" and noted that "the situation involves a longstanding dispute and political forces beyond the control of Olympic sponsors, and it would exist even in the absence of the Olympic Games." (statement quoted in The Wall Street Journal, March 17, 2008)
"There is no question that the Olympic Games are a powerful force for peace. We believe that the games will focus on all the good that is being brought to China, and we are proud to support that."
- Robert J. Page, Lenovo's Olympics public relations manager
- (quoted by The Associated Press, March 20, 2008)

MAILING ADDRESS:    

Mr. William J. Amelio
President and Chief Executive Officer
Lenovo Inc.  
1009 Think Place   
Morrisville, North Carolina 27560  

  


8. McDonald's (US) [Top]

Company policy on social responsibility:

"Corporate responsibility is very important to any success that we have...For us doing the right things and doing things right is natural. As we become bigger we have more responsibility- and certainly it's integral to how our customers view our business. In all the things we do that touch our customers and touch our communities, we are the leaders, particularly in our industry. Everybody looks to us to provide that leadership and to challenge the way we go about getting it done. So not only do we have a responsibility to our customers and our communities and our own business model, we have some accountability and responsibility to the rest of the industry."

-Jim Skinner, Chief Executive Officer

From McDonald's website http://www.mcdonalds.com/corp/values/report/printable.RowPar.0001.Conten...

What McDonald's said about human rights and the Olympics:

From a statement in response to protests in Tibet: "Concerning political issues, these need to be resolved by governments and international bodies such as the United Nations where they can most effectively drive discussions, diplomacy and help speed solutions." (statement quoted in The Irish Times, April 3, 2008)

MAILING ADDRESS:  

Mr. Jim Skinner
Chief Executive Officer
McDonald’s Corporation  
2111 McDonald's Drive   
Oak Brook, IL 60523



9. Omega / Swatch Group (Switzerland)[Top]

Company policy on social responsibility: none found on either the Omega or Swatch company website.

What Omega/Swatch Group said about human rights and the Olympics:

"We are partners of the athletes and the (International Olympic Committee), not of governments, which is why we were present during the boycotted games of 1980 and 1984."
-Nicolas Hayek, CEO of the Swatch Group (quoted in Brand Republic,
March 14, 2008)
"It is our policy not to get involved in politics because it would not serve the cause of the sport which is one most noble human endeavors for creating understanding and peace all over the world.''
-Nicolas Hayek, CEO of Swatch Group (quoted by the Associated Press,
March 11, 2008)
 

MAILING ADDRESS: 

Mr. G. Nicolas  Hayek, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer
Swatch Group  
Seevorstadt 6      
2501 Biel              
Switzerland


10. Panasonic / Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. (Japan) [Top]

Company policy on social responsibility:

"When carrying out business activities globally, it goes without saying that we must comply with laws, regulations and ethics relating to employment and labor in each country where we do business. The fundamental polices of the entire Panasonic [sic] are not only to respect basic human rights, namely, the prohibition of discrimination, the right to freedom of association, the guarantee of the right to organize, the guarantee of the right of collective bargaining, and the prohibition of forced labor, but also to practice appropriate recruitment and labor management based on the laws and regulations, labor practices, and labor-management relations of each country."

From Panasonic's website http://panasonic.net/csr/employee/hr/index.html

What they said about human rights and the Olympics:

A spokesperson for Panasonic said, "Support for the Olympics is independent of local contingencies." (quoted in The Ottawa Citizen February 20, 2008)

MAILING ADDRESS: 

Mr. Fumio Ohtsubo  
President
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.,Ltd.   
1006, Kadoma, Kadoma City 
Osaka 571-8501
Japan 


11. Samsung (South Korea), also a sponsor of the Torch Relay [Top]

Company policy on social responsibility:

"We must also continually remind ourselves of our responsibilities to our customers and business partners, not to mention to the communities that have made Samsung's global success possible. We must strengthen our relationships with existing business partners and nurture new collaborative efforts. And we must continue our commitment, through various social efforts and programs, to contribute to the prosperity of people all over the world in the hope for a better society."
- Kun-Hee Lee, former Chairman (prior to his resignation in April 2008)

From Samsung's website http://www.samsung.com/us/aboutsamsung/samsunggroup/chairman/SAMSUNGGrou...

What Samsung said about human rights and the Olympics:
Samsung said in a statement: "We believe the Olympic Games are not the place for demonstrations and we hope that all people attending the Games recognize the importance of this." (quoted by The Associated Press, March 19, 2008)

MAILING ADDRESS: 

Mr. Lee Yoon-woo
Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.   
250 Taepyung-ro 2-ga, Jung-gu
Seoul 
South Korea 100-742


12. Visa (US) [Top]

Company policy on social responsibility:

"Visa Inc. is committed to maintaining the highest standards of professional and personal conduct and to acting with openness and transparency with regard to its business, leadership and corporate governance practices. These principles are critical to earning and retaining the trust of our financial institution clients, merchants and cardholders. They are vital also to securing the respect and trust of other key stakeholders and interested parties, including employees, investors, suppliers, government officials and the public...Beyond its responsibilities to its principal stakeholders, Visa recognizes its constructive role in the broader global community."

From Visa's website
http://investor.visa.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=215693&p=irol-govHighlights

Visa has not publicly commented on China's failure to uphold the human rights commitments it made when it was awarded the Beijing Olympics or on the killings and crackdown in Tibet.

MAILING ADDRESS: 

Mr. Joseph Saunders
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 
Visa  Inc.   
P.O.B. 8999
San Francisco, CA 94128-8999