Uyghur activist Rahima Mahmut urges UK to investigate forced labour in supply chains
Rahima Mahmut Urges UK to Address Forced Labour in Supply Chains
Rahima Mahmut, Executive Director of Stop Uyghur Genocide, has called for immediate action to tackle forced labour in UK supply chains. Speaking to the UK Parliament's Human Rights Committee, Mahmut presented evidence linking forced labour in China, especially in cotton production, to various industries. She emphasized that nearly all products from the Uyghur region, also known as East Turkestan, are affected by slave labour.
Her testimony has led to widespread calls for action. The Campaign for Uyghurs supported her plea, stating that strong measures are needed to prevent complicity in forced labour. Rushan Abbas, Executive Director of Campaign for Uyghurs, echoed Mahmut's concerns, highlighting the undeniable evidence of forced labour in industries like cotton, tomatoes, and solar panels.
Last year, the UK Court of Appeal ruled that the UK National Crime Agency's failure to investigate the importation of cotton made with Uyghur forced labour was illegal. This decision, achieved by the World Uyghur Congress and the Global Legal Action Network, marked a significant shift for UK businesses. The ruling highlighted the legal risks for companies importing goods linked to forced labour, with potential prosecution under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Doubts Revealed
Rahima Mahmut
Rahima Mahmut is a human rights activist who works to stop the mistreatment of Uyghur people. She is the Executive Director of an organization called Stop Uyghur Genocide.
UK
The UK stands for the United Kingdom, which is a country in Europe made up of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Forced Labour
Forced labour means making people work against their will, often in bad conditions and without fair pay. It is a serious human rights issue.
Supply Chains
Supply chains are the steps and processes involved in making and delivering products from the start to the end, like from a farm to a store.
Uyghur
Uyghurs are a group of people who mostly live in the Xinjiang region of China. They have their own culture and language.
UK Parliament's Human Rights Committee
This is a group of people in the UK government who work to make sure that human rights are respected and protected.
Campaign for Uyghurs
Campaign for Uyghurs is an organization that works to raise awareness and stop the mistreatment of Uyghur people.
UK Court of Appeal
The UK Court of Appeal is a high-level court in the UK that makes important legal decisions and can change the outcomes of cases from lower courts.
National Crime Agency
The National Crime Agency is a UK government organization that works to fight serious and organized crime, like drug trafficking and human trafficking.
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