ShareAction: Ten asset managers vote against human rights due diligence at weapons companies

Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman

Research by campaign group ShareAction has revealed that ten of the world’s largest asset managers – including BlackRock and Vanguard – have voted against human rights due diligence resolutions at weapons companies.

Shareholder proposals at Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman requested the firms - among the largest arms producers in the world - to conduct a report on human rights due diligence, as well as an impact assessment "examining potential human rights impacts associated with high-risk products and services", including in conflict-affected areas. ShareAction research manager Felix Nagrawala stated: "Human rights organisations have recorded consistent and indiscriminate use of Lockheed Martin weaponry against civilians and linked its weaponry to war crimes and violations of international huma...