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Uyghur and Turkic Muslims: Forced Labour in China
06 November 2024
Lead MP
Blair McDougall
East Renfrewshire
Lab
Responding Minister
Douglas Alexander
Tags
EconomyBrexitForeign Affairs
Word Count: 10869
Other Contributors: 6
At a Glance
Blair McDougall raised concerns about uyghur and turkic muslims: forced labour in china in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The UK should introduce legislation similar to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act in the US, which creates a presumption that goods from Xinjiang are produced through forced labour. Import inspections on direct flights from Ürümqi to Bournemouth should be carried out to prevent products compromised by Muslim slave labour.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The persecution of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims since 2017 has been unprecedented, with over 1 million imprisoned in camps and up to 3 million passing through them. Forced sterilisation, abortion, sexual violence, and cultural destruction are widespread. The forced labour programme is an integral part of China's project, affecting industries such as cotton, automotive, and solar panel manufacturing.
Clive Jones
Lib Dem
Wokingham
He welcomed the Court of Appeal's decision to overrule the National Crime Agency's non-investigation stance and congratulated the Global Legal Action Network and World Uyghur Congress on their success. He stated that 85% of Chinese cotton is grown in Xinjiang, and there are nearly 50 million people trapped in slavery worldwide. Jones called for retailers to be compelled to review supply chains and ensure ethically sourced materials, decent livelihoods, and safe working conditions. He agreed with Sir Geoffrey Nice KC's findings of genocide by China against the Uyghurs and asked the Minister to support Liberal Democrat policies, back Magnitsky-style sanctions under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018, ensure UK grants asylum to those fleeing genocide, and explicitly condemn Chinese state actions as genocide.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon highlighted the severe human rights abuses faced by Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang province, including forced labour, torture, arbitrary detention, and cultural erasure. He mentioned that since 2017 up to 3 million Uyghurs may have been detained in 're-education camps'. Additionally, he noted that an estimated 80,000 Uyghurs have been forcibly moved to work in factories across China under forced labour conditions. Shannon also raised concerns about the surveillance infrastructure and artificial intelligence used by Chinese authorities to monitor and control Uyghur populations.
Marie Rimmer
Lab
St Helens South and Whiston
Ms Rimmer highlighted the use of forced labour by Uyghur and Turkic Muslims in China's solar, electric vehicle, cotton, and seafood industries. She urged the UK to reset trade policies and impose sanctions on countries exploiting labour. She cited estimates that 40% of the UK's solar industry is at risk of being tainted by Uyghur forced labour and called for a presumptive ban similar to the US act. Ms Rimmer also stressed the need to review Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act to ensure companies clean up their supply chains.
Mike Wood
Con
Kingswinford and South Staffordshire
He expressed concern over the forced labour of Uyghur and Turkic populations in China's Xinjiang region, noting that over 1 million people are detained under abhorrent conditions. He highlighted actions taken by the previous government to address this issue but raised concerns about current ties between the Government and companies like SHEIN, which have been criticised for links to forced labour.
Tim Roca
Lab
Macclesfield
Mr. Tim Roca highlighted the complicity of many companies in supply chains involving forced labour, particularly within the automotive industry. He cited research from Sheffield Hallam University indicating that most car brands are at risk of sourcing products made with forced labour from Xinjiang. Mr. Roca called for mandatory human rights due diligence laws and import bans on goods linked to forced labour.
Zubir Ahmed
Lab
Glasgow South West
The MP expressed gratitude to his hon. Friend for securing the debate, highlighting its importance and noting that Muslim communities would be appreciative of the discussion on ethical supply chains.
Government Response
Douglas Alexander
Government Response
The Government are deeply concerned about human rights abuses in Xinjiang and have taken actions such as sanctions against officials linked to violations. The UK addresses forced labour through the Modern Slavery Act, Procurement Act, and free trade agreements. They also engage with China on human rights issues at high levels of government. The solar taskforce has been relaunched to develop sustainable supply chains free from forced labour.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.