---
title: "Global Civil Society Organizations Call on Maersk Shareholders to Demand Maersk Disclose its Human Rights Practices"
slug: "global-civil-society-organizations-call-on-maersk-shareholders-to-demand-maersk-disclose-its-human-rights-practices"
post_type: "post"
published_at: "2025-03-17T18:10:46+01:00"
modified_at: "2025-04-29T11:16:27+01:00"
author: "CIHRS"
url: "https://cihrs.org/global-civil-society-organizations-call-on-maersk-shareholders-to-demand-maersk-disclose-its-human-rights-practices/?lang=en"
category:
  - "International Advocacy Program"
  - "United Nations Human Rights Council"
causes_and_rights:
  - "Access and Exchange of Information"
country:
  - "Other"
field:
  - "Regional and International Protection and Advocacy"
interest:
  - "Statements and Positions"
protection_and_advocacy:
  - "United Nations Human Rights Council"
---

# Global Civil Society Organizations Call on Maersk Shareholders to Demand Maersk Disclose its Human Rights Practices

Danish shipping giant A.P. Møller – Mærsk A/S has faced intense scrutiny for its potential role in facilitating the transfer of arms and military equipment to Israel, thereby risking involving itself in activities that raise serious human rights concerns. Despite increasing global demands for corporate accountability and heightened due diligence efforts tied to the devastating violence seen in Gaza over the last 17 months, Maersk may be falling short of aligning its operations with international human rights standards. A proposal due to be discussed by the shareholders, demands immediate action by Maersk to disclose its human rights due diligence processes concerning arms shipments to Israel. This resolution is a direct challenge to the company to adhere to international law and standards, which include transparently demonstrating its respect for human rights. The undersigned human rights organizations, therefore, urge Maersk shareholders to use their vote at the upcoming Annual General Meeting on March 18th, to ensure the company upholds its own commitments to human rights and the principles of international law and standards. This request aligns with Maersk’s endorsement to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human rights, which state that a company’s human rights responsibility requires it to show that it respects human rights in practice, providing a certain level of transparency and accountability to relevant stakeholders, including investors. The urgency of this resolution is underscored by the devastating impact of Israel's military actions in Gaza, which have resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, including more than 13,000 children, and tens of thousands presumed dead under the rubble. The deployment of over 25,000 tons of explosives has destroyed civilian infrastructure and raised serious allegations of grave human rights violations and crimes against humanity. Also, in January 2024 the International Court of Justice found that in Gaza there was a plausible risk of genocide and issued provisional measures that Israel has so far disregarded. Maersk’s potential involvement risks exposing the company—and by extension, its shareholders—to profound legal and reputational risks. This reality demands that shareholders insist on accountability and transparency from Maersk. In light of these concerns, the proposed resolution emphasizes the critical need for Maersk to publicly disclose its human rights due diligence processes, particularly with respect to arms shipments. Transparency in these activities is indispensable for evaluating the company's potential adverse impacts on human rights and ensuring accountability. The resolution is firmly supported by the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and backed by international demands from UN experts, justice mechanisms, and human rights organizations calling for a comprehensive arms embargo to end the catastrophic loss of life in Gaza. Despite Maersk advising shareholders to vote AGAINST the proposal, it is evident that disclosing human rights due diligence measures is essential for responsible corporate behavior. Therefore, we support the goals of the resolution and strongly encourage shareholders to vote in favor of the proposal “on disclosure of human rights due diligence processes” at the AGM. Voting for this resolution is a critical move toward ensuring Maersk adheres to rigorous human rights standards, crucial for preventing human suffering possibly associated with its operations. This action represents a moral imperative, underscoring the need for corporate practices that respect human lives and dignity. **List of Organizational Signatories:**

1. Abolitionist Law Center
2. ActionAid Denmark
3. Adasina Social Capital
4. Al-Haq
5. American Friends Service Committee
6. Amnesty International
7. AMNISTÍA INTERNACIONAL VALENCIA
8. Antimilitaristes-MOC València
9. Arab Left Forum
10. Association France Palestine Solidarité (AFPS)
11. The Association of Norwegian NGOs for Palestine
12. Australia Palestine Advocacy Network
13. Australian Centre for International Justice
14. Bank Better
15. BDS Murcia
16. BDS País Valencià
17. BDS Sverige
18. Boycott Bloody Insurance
19. Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS)
20. Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT)
21. Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East - Saskatoon Chapter
22. The Canadian BDS Coalition and International BDS Allies
23. Centro de Estudios Ecuménicos-México
24. Control Arms
25. DAWN
26. Ekō
27. Erev Rav
28. European Jews for Palestine
29. Food Not Bombs
30. Global Justice Now
31. Global Legal Action Network (GLAN)
32. Independent & Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN)
33. Inner West for Palestine
34. Intersindical Alternativa de Catalunya
35. International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network - UK
36. Jews for Just Peace - Denmark
37. Jews 4 Palestine-Ireland
38. Jewish Network for Palestine
39. Jewish Voice for a Just Peace in the Middle East – Germany
40. Judiskt Upprop (JU)
41. Judeus pela Paz e Justiça
42. Just Peace Advocates/Mouvement Pour Une Paix Juste
43. Justice for All Canada
44. Labour Against the Arms Trade (Canada)
45. Manitoba Healthcare Workers for Palestine
46. The Middle East Children's Alliance for Peace
47. Movimento pelos Direitos do Povo Palestino e pela Paz no Médio Oriente - MPPM
48. Nahlieli: Jews for Justice in Palestine - Finland
49. New Unity Movement
50. No Weapons for Genocide
51. Northern Rivers Friends of Palestine
52. Ontario Palestinian Rights Association
53. Oxfam Denmark
54. Palestine Solidarity Alliance
55. Palestinian and Jewish Unity (PAJU)
56. PAX
57. Peace Action
58. Permanent Peace Movement
59. Plataforma Unitária de Solidariedade com a Palestina (PUSP)
60. Polish-Palestinian Justice Initiative Kaktus
61. Progressive International
62. Project of Heart
63. The Rights Forum
64. Saferworld
65. Scientists for Global Responsibility (UK)
66. Tech Justice Law Project
67. Tipping Point UK
68. Transnational Institute
69. Union juive française pour la paix (UJFP)
70. United Against Inhumanity (UAI)
71. United Methodists for Kairos Response (UMKR)
72. The United Church of Canada - Palestine Network, Shining Waters Region
73. Vision GRAM-International
74. Vredesactie
75. War on Want
76. Winnipeg South Centre for Justice
77. Women in Black – London
78. Women for Peace and Democracy Nepal
79. Women's International League for Peace and Freedom