UK Court Rules Retailers Liable for Importing Uyghur Forced Labour Goods

In a landmark decision, the UK Court of Appeal has ruled that UK retailers can be prosecuted for importing goods made with Uyghur forced labour from China. This decision overturns a previous High Court ruling and mandates that companies must ensure their supply chains are free from forced labour.

The ruling was achieved by the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN) and the World Uyghur Congress (WUC). It marks the first successful legal action to disrupt supply chains linked to the genocide of Uyghur and other Turkic peoples in Xinjiang, China.

The court’s decision establishes that businesses can be prosecuted under the Proceeds of Crime Act if they import goods knowingly linked to criminal circumstances, such as forced Uyghur labour. The British government acknowledges that the Proceeds of Crime Act applies to companies importing cotton from Xinjiang, categorizing such cotton as ‘criminal property’ obtained through forced labour and crimes against humanity.

This case also revisits the UK’s Foreign Prison-Made Goods Act 1897, which prohibits importing goods produced in foreign prisons. This is the first time this 19th-century law has been tested in English courts, underscoring its relevance in contemporary human rights issues.

The Court of Appeal’s decision sets a precedent with potential global implications, influencing legal actions and corporate practices worldwide.