Working with Investor Advocates for Social Justice (IASJ), the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary were the lead filers of a shareholder proposal to hold Microsoft accountable for the implementation of its human rights policies. Microsoft has agreed to an independent third-party assessment of the impact of its surveillance products in contracts with police, immigration enforcement, and other government agencies which especially impact communities of Black, Indigenous and People of Color. Sr. Joanne Safian, RSHM, stated,
”We agreed to be the lead filer on this shareholder proposal to encourage constructive engagement with Microsoft and to try to ensure that the company’s business activities do not cause human rights harms, including perpetuating systemic racial inequities. We’re committed to that goal as a religious congregation and are pleased that Microsoft has agreed to the third-party assessment, and hope for continued accountability on the company’s part.”