US and EU Take Steps Against Forced Labour in China’s Xinjiang Region

US authorities have made a significant move by prioritising the Aluminium production sector under the Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act. This decision comes amidst concerns over human rights violations in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR).

Human Rights Watch (HRW) supports this move, urging car manufacturers to consider human rights in their supply chains. HRW’s report, titled ‘Asleep at the Wheel,’ highlights the risks of sourcing Aluminium from Xinjiang’s forced labour camps.

Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) has faced criticism for its perceived inaction. However, the EU plans to adopt the Forced Labour Regulation (FLR), which will prohibit goods linked to forced labour. The European Commission will establish an online database to identify areas and sectors at risk of forced labour.

HRW calls for the inclusion of Xinjiang’s Aluminium sector in the FLR database and urges the EU to expand its scope to other industries. HRW also warns of potential retaliatory actions from China, a concern for EU countries with strong economic ties to China.