Divestment Resolution (11-13-2014)
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1 A Resolution to Divest from Companies Engaged in Violence Against Palestinians Sponsored by: Negeen Sadeghi-Movahed, Conrad Contreras, Manjot Singh Student group co-sponsors: Students for Justice in Palestine, American Indian Students Association, Bengali Students Association, Bruin Feminists for Equality, IDEAS (Improving Dreams, Equality, Access, and Success), Incarcerated Youth Tutorial Project, Jewish Voice for Peace, Muslim Students Association, Queer Alliance, Samahang Pilipino, Student Coalition Against Labor Exploitation, UMMA Volunteer Project, United Arab Society WHEREAS, in September 2014, the University of California signed onto the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment 1 , which include guidelines stating that “businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses” 2 ; WHEREAS, the University of California remains invested in companies that do not meet the standards endorsed by the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment; WHEREAS, investment in companies engaged in violence against others is harmful to students at UCLA who are affected by such violence; WHEREAS, UC students did not give consent to invest in companies engaged in violence against others; WHEREAS, UC students have used and continue to use divestment 3 campaigns to reclaim political agency and to change UC policies that maintain investments in companies that demonstrate a lack of accountability, ethicality, and respect for the rights and dignity of others, most notably in the context of South Africa 4 and most recently in the context of fossil fuels 5 and the Prison Industrial Complex 6 ; WHEREAS, the following illustrative and non-exhaustive list of companies in which the University of California invests 7 profit from and enable human rights abuses and violence; WHEREAS, Boeing, Caterpillar, Cement Roadstone Holdings, Cemex, General Dynamics, General Electric, Hewlett-Packard, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and United Technologies have violated the universal right “to life, liberty, and security of person;” “to education;” to “privacy, family [and] home;” “to own property, and ...[not to] be arbitrarily deprived of property” 8 ; WHEREAS, Caterpillar has violated these rights by continually providing engineering tools and bulldozers routinely used in the demolition of Palestinian homes, refugee camps, water cisterns, and agricultural fields in the West Bank and Gaza 9-10 , and by providing bulldozers used to expand illegal settlements and to construct the Separation Wall and checkpoints throughout the West Bank 10 , which have been ruled to be in violation of international law in the International Court of Justice’s 2004 Advisory Opinion 11 ; WHEREAS, by providing cement and other building materials, Cement Roadstone Holdings (CRH) has contributed to the construction of military checkpoints, the Separation Wall, and illegal settlements within the occupied Palestinian territory 12 ;
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Submitted to the UCLA Undergraduate Student Government on 11/13/2014
Transcript of Divestment Resolution (11-13-2014)
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AResolutiontoDivestfromCompaniesEngagedinViolenceAgainstPalestiniansSponsoredby:NegeenSadeghiMovahed,ConradContreras,ManjotSingh
Studentgroupcosponsors:StudentsforJusticeinPalestine,AmericanIndianStudentsAssociation,BengaliStudentsAssociation,BruinFeministsforEquality,IDEAS(ImprovingDreams,Equality,Access,andSuccess),IncarceratedYouthTutorialProject,JewishVoiceforPeace,MuslimStudents
Association,QueerAlliance,SamahangPilipino,StudentCoalitionAgainstLaborExploitation,UMMAVolunteerProject,UnitedArabSociety
WHEREAS,inSeptember2014,theUniversityofCaliforniasignedontotheUnitedNationssupportedPrinciplesforResponsibleInvestment1,whichincludeguidelinesstatingthatbusinessesshouldsupportandrespecttheprotectionofinternationallyproclaimedhumanrightsandmakesurethattheyarenotcomplicitinhumanrightsabuses2WHEREAS,theUniversityofCaliforniaremainsinvestedincompaniesthatdonotmeetthestandardsendorsedbytheUnitedNationssupportedPrinciplesforResponsibleInvestmentWHEREAS,investmentincompaniesengagedinviolenceagainstothersisharmfultostudentsatUCLAwhoareaffectedbysuchviolenceWHEREAS,UCstudentsdidnotgiveconsenttoinvestincompaniesengagedinviolenceagainstothersWHEREAS,UCstudentshaveusedandcontinuetousedivestment3campaignstoreclaimpoliticalagencyandtochangeUCpoliciesthatmaintaininvestmentsincompaniesthatdemonstratealackofaccountability,ethicality,andrespectfortherightsanddignityofothers,mostnotablyinthecontextofSouthAfrica4andmostrecentlyinthecontextoffossilfuels5andthePrisonIndustrialComplex6WHEREAS,thefollowingillustrativeandnonexhaustivelistofcompaniesinwhichtheUniversityofCaliforniainvests7profitfromandenablehumanrightsabusesandviolenceWHEREAS,Boeing,Caterpillar,CementRoadstoneHoldings,Cemex,GeneralDynamics,GeneralElectric,HewlettPackard,LockheedMartin,NorthropGrumman,Raytheon,andUnitedTechnologieshaveviolatedtheuniversalrighttolife,liberty,andsecurityofpersontoeducationtoprivacy,family[and]hometoownproperty,and...[notto]bearbitrarilydeprivedofproperty8WHEREAS,CaterpillarhasviolatedtheserightsbycontinuallyprovidingengineeringtoolsandbulldozersroutinelyusedinthedemolitionofPalestinianhomes,refugeecamps,watercisterns,andagriculturalfieldsintheWestBankandGaza910,andbyprovidingbulldozersusedtoexpandillegalsettlementsandtoconstructtheSeparationWallandcheckpointsthroughouttheWestBank10,whichhavebeenruledtobeinviolationofinternationallawintheInternationalCourtofJustices2004AdvisoryOpinion11WHEREAS,byprovidingcementandotherbuildingmaterials,CementRoadstoneHoldings(CRH)hascontributedtotheconstructionofmilitarycheckpoints,theSeparationWall,andillegalsettlementswithintheoccupiedPalestinianterritory12
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WHEREAS,CemexalsoownsandoperatesmanufacturingplantsinillegalWestBanksettlements,exploitingPalestiniannaturalresourcesinviolationofinternationallaw13WHEREAS,CRHandCemexhavesuppliedbuildingmaterialsusedtobuildillegalsettlements,theSeparationWall,andcheckpointswithintheoccupiedPalestinianterritory14WHEREAS,HewlettPackardCompany(HP)hasprovidedbiometricidentificationsystemsusedatIsraelimilitarycheckpoints,whichrestrictthefreedomofmovementofPalestinians,facilitatediscriminationagainstPalestinians,andreinforceastratificationofcitizenship15WHEREAS,HPprofitsfromglobalmassincarcerationandprovidesprisonerdatasystemsfortheUnitedStatesDepartmentofHomelandSecuritysImmigrationandCustoms(ICE)LawEnforcementSupportCenter16WHEREAS,corporationsthattheUniversityofCaliforniainvestsin,includingBoeing17,GeneralDynamics18,GeneralElectric19,LockheedMartin20,NorthropGrumman21,Raytheon22,andUnitedTechnologies23,haveprovidedweaponsusedinattacksonciviliansandcivilianinfrastructureintheGazaStrip24WHEREAS,havingdocumentedseriousviolationsofhumanrightsandpossiblewarcrimes25,bothAmnestyInternational26andHumanRightsWatch27calledupontheUnitedStatesgovernmentandotherpartiestoceasethetransferorsaleofarmsthatwouldlikelybeusedinthefurthercommissionofhumanrightsviolations,specificallyreferencingcorporationsinwhichtheUniversityofCaliforniacurrentlyinvests24WHEREAS,investmentinthesecompaniesshowsimplicitsupportforthedecisionsandactionsofthesecompanies,aswellastheirconsequences,whichincludethekillingsofciviliansWHEREAS,theconsequencesofthesecompaniesactionsalsoaffecttheUCLAcommunitydirectly,includingstudentswhosefamiliesexperienceoccupation,systematicdiscrimination,death,injury,andotherformsofhumanrightsviolationsWHEREAS,theonlywaytoachievefinancialneutralityinsuchsituationsistoendourinvestmentinandimplicitsupportforsuchcompaniesthroughdivestmentWHEREAS,thisresolutionaimsneithertocondemnacountry,apeople,oracommunitynortodetermineapoliticalsolution,butissolelyaimedatendingourUniversityssupportofcompaniesthatenablehumanrightsviolationsWHEREAS,supportforhumanrightsandoppositiontoinvestmentsincompaniesengagedinviolenceareprinciplesthathavethepowertounitemembersoftheUCLAcommunityLETITBERESOLVED,thattheUndergraduateStudentsAssociationCounciloftheUniversityofCalifornia,LosAngelescallsupontheUniversityofCaliforniatowithdrawinvestmentsinsecurities,endowments,mutualfunds,andothermonetaryinstrumentswithholdingsintheaforementionedcompanies,atsuchtimeandinsuchmannerasfundtrusteesmaydetermineandthattheUniversityofCaliforniamaintainthewithdrawalofinvestments,inaccordancewithtrusteesfiduciaryduty,until
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thesecompaniesarenolongerengagedintheviolationofhumanrightsandotherbehaviorthatfailtoadheretotheUniversityofCaliforniaendorsedPrinciplesofResponsibleInvestmentLETITFURTHERBERESOLVED,thatifitisfoundthatUCLAfundsarebeinginvestedinanyoftheabovementionedcompanies,theUndergraduateStudentsAssociationCounciloftheUniversityofCalifornia,LosAngelescallsuponUCLAtodivestallstocksandsecuritiesofsuchcompanies,atsuchtimeandinsuchmannerasfundtrusteesmaydetermine,andmaintaindivestmentfromsaidcompanies,inaccordancewiththefundtrusteesfiduciaryduty,untiltheymeettheUniversityofCaliforniaendorsedPrinciplesofResponsibleInvestmentLETITFURTHERBERESOLVED,thattheUndergraduateStudentsAssociationCounciloftheUniversityofCalifornia,LosAngelescallsuponUCLAandtheUCLAFoundation,inaccordancewithfundtrusteesfiduciaryduties,torefrainfrommakingfurtherinvestments,andtoadvocatethattheUniversityofCalifornianotmakefurtherinvestments,inanycompaniesengagedintheviolationofhumanrightsorotherbehaviorthatfailstoadheretotheUniversityofCaliforniaendorsedPrinciplesofResponsibleInvestmentLETITFURTHERBERESOLVED,thattheUndergraduateStudentsAssociationCounciloftheUniversityofCalifornia,LosAngelescallsupontheUniversityofCaliforniatoestablishameansofimplementinggreaterstudentoversightoftheUniversitysinvestmentsLETITFURTHERBERESOLVED,thatinadditiontodivestment,theUndergraduateStudentsAssociationCounciloftheUniversityofCalifornia,LosAngelescallsupontheUniversityofCaliforniatoinvestinandsupportventuresinIsraelandPalestinethatpromotehumanrightsandjustice,andthatdonotcontributetotheoppressionofanygroupLETITFINALLYBERESOLVED,thatwe,thestudents,calluponouruniversitytodissociateitselffromcompaniesthatengageoraidinsystematicprejudicedoppression,whetherthissystemtargetspeoplebasedontheirreligion,nationality,gender,raceororientation,bydivestingfromcompaniesthatparticipateinorprofitfromhumanrightsviolations.
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[1]UCjoinsUNsupportedPrinciplesforResponsibleInvestment[2]PrinciplesforResponsibleInvestmentAnnualReport2014PrinciplesforResponsibleInvestment:WhatisResponsibleInvestment?,andTheUNGlobalCompactsTenPrinciples[3]Divestingistheprocessofsellinganasset,doneforeitherfinancialorsocialgoals.[4]UCLAAfricanStudiesCenterRememberingNelsonMandela,areflectionondivestmentandTheStudentAntiApartheidNewsletter:SpecialReportonUniversityofCaliforniaDivestmentAction[5]AResolutionInSupportofDivestmentfromFossilFuelCompanies[6]AResolutiontoDivestUndergraduateStudentsAssociationCouncilandUCLosAngelesFinancesfromCorporationsProfitingfromthePrisonIndustrialComplex[7]UCRetirementPortfolioholdingsincludeinvestmentsinCaterpillar,CementRoadstoneHoldings,Cemex,GeneralElectric,HewlettPackard,andLockheedMartin.UCGeneralEndowmentPortfolioholdingsincludeinvestmentsinCementRoadstoneHoldings,Cemex,GeneralElectric,HewlettPackard,andLockheedMartin.BothportfoliosincludeinvestmentsintheRussell3000Index,whichincludesBoeing,Caterpillar,GeneralDynamics,GeneralElectric,HewlettPackard,LockheedMartin,NorthropGrumman,Raytheon,andUnitedTechnologies.[8]TheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights[9]HumanRightsWatchsRazingRafah:MassHomeDemolitionsintheGazaStrip,citesCaterpillarsviolations[10]AmnestyInternationalreportIsraelandtheOccupiedTerritories:UndertheRubble:HouseDemolitionandDestructionofLandandProperty,citinghowCaterpillarbulldozersareusedtoviolatehumanrights.[11]InternationalCourtofJustice:LegalConsequencesoftheConstructionofaWallintheOccupiedPalestinianTerritory(9July2004)[12]SeeProjectCleanHandsreportonCementRoadstoneHoldings,WhoProfitsreportonCementRoadstoneHoldings[13]WhoProfitsreportonCemex[14]See13,andNewEnglandUnitedMethodistChurchreportsonsaidcompaniesanddocumentationonsaidcompanies[15]WhoProfitsreportonHPsinvolvementinsettlementsandoccupationinfrastructure[16]GlobalExchangesreportonHPincludesinformationonservicestodomesticprisonandimmigrationsystems[17]SeeBoeingsreportonitsweaponssalesandspecifically,itssalesofAH64Apachehelicopters,F15EStrikeEaglefighterjets,F16missiles,andAGM114Hellfiremissiles.[18]SeetheAFSCsreportonarmssalestoIsrael,citingGeneralDynamicssaleofweaponsusedinattacksoncivilians.[19]GeneralElectricssaleofenginesforBoeingsAH64Apachehelicopters,andenginesforBlackhawkhelicopters.[20]LockheedMartinsuppliesIsraelwithF16fighterjetsandmissiles,LongbowHellfiremissiles(withNorthropGrumman)andAH64ApacheLongbowhelicopterparts.[21]SeeNorthropGrummanssalesofmissilesystems,gunships,andservicesforF16fighterjets.[22]SeedocumentationofRaytheonsarmstransfers,includingmissilesandbombsusedinhumanrightsviolations.[23]UnitedTechnologiesrendersservicestotheIsraelimilitarythroughitsaviationsubsidiaries,PrattandWhitneyandSikorsky,whichmanufactureenginesusedinF15sandF16s,andBlackhawkhelicopters,respectively.[24]AmnestyInternationalsreportFuellingConflict:ForeignArmsSuppliestoIsrael/Gaza,detailsarmssalesmadebyBoeing,GeneralElectric,LockheedMartin,andRaytheon.[25]See:AmnestyInternationalsOperationCastLead:22DaysofDeathandDestruction,andHumanRightsWatchsIsrael:InDepthLookatGazaSchoolAttacks,andGaza:AirstrikesViolatedLawsofWar[26]AmnestyInternationallettertoCongresscallingforarmsembargoAmnestyInternational:UNmustimposearmsembargoandmandateaninternationalinvestigationasciviliandeathtollrisesAmnestyInternational:TheUnitedStatesisNotJustaBystanderinIsraelGazaViolenceAmnestyInternational:StopUSshipmentoffueltoIsrael'sarmedforcesasevidenceofGazawarcrimesmounts[27]HumanRightsWatch:UnlawfulIsraeliAirstrikesKillCivilians,andIsraeliSoldiersShootandKillFleeingCivilians
