We are pleased to share a Discussion Note on Investor Stewardship and the Border and Surveillance Industries.
This Note is intended to educate – and advocate for – proactive investor engagement on risks stemming from the growing and global devolution of border security, surveillance and detention and transport of migrants to the private sector. It builds on years of research and engagement by NGOs and enlightened investors around the world.
In effect, what migrants experience today is a microcosm and harbinger, of much larger systemic risks, issues which eventually affect every one and every economy, where technology, global governance, climate and economic imbalances meet.
With stark inequalities and global environmental degradation poised to accelerate global migrations, risks will accrue and investors and other stakeholders in the institutional investment chain should pay close attention to society’s growing unease with how we manage our borders. Legal, reputational and other risks abound and, perhaps stating the obvious, there are no social, environmental or economic benefits to the violation of migrants’ human rights.
Investors should strengthen their response accordingly. This response begins with better data, a better understanding of legal and reputational risks, and continues with a range of possible strategic answers, such as engagement on public commitments to international human rights frameworks, internal audits and highlighting the role of auditors, divestment, dampening the political influence of the BSI sector. Read on.