CFU Press Release
For Immediate Release
March 3, 2021 8:00 a.m. EST
Contact: contact@campaignforuyghurs.org
Campaign For Uyghurs (CFU) welcomes the latest report from Dr. Adrian Zenz regarding labor transfers in East Turkistan. His approach to evaluating coercion in work transfers is informative as it moves through the six phases of matching and placement, recruitment, training, transfer to work destination, worker management at the destination, and retention at the destination.
The intricacies of the forced labor system, the realities of what global brands are complicit in, and the specifics of the Chinese political environment of repression are all clearly indicated by this research, as well as the double intent behind the transfers. These transfers are not only about boosting the economy, but rather are deliberately seeking to displace and reduce the Uyghur population density to rip them from their culture as part of this genocide.
CFU received a testimony last year from an individual in China regarding a Uyghur girl who had disappeared into a factory in a large city in China proper which was manufacturing PPE. As CFU staff continue to interview victims of forced labor, and more information comes out about how these modern-day slavery schemes are proceeding with no consequence, we can expect to see more and more instances of how this has spread throughout China proper.
As the policy recommendations in Dr. Zenz’s report confirms, products produced in the region must be presumed tainted, and it is high past time for brands and corporations to acknowledge their responsibility to exit the region. Through efforts such as those of the Coalition to End Uyghur Forced Labour, the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, and the proposed customs amendment in Australian Parliament for which CFU gave a submission, it is clear that efforts to hold China accountable are slow, but also effective. The CCP can only respond to the language of money.
We cannot expect a regime that is committing active genocide and normalizing slavery will ever do the right thing or be a reliable international partner on any initiative. Beyond remaining apathetic, Beijing continues to be rewarded for its genocidal crimes. The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics must be moved, and the United States must help to lead the push to do so. Human rights should be first to any China policy approach, and CFU hopes to see more uniform messaging from the Biden administration to address ending this evil genocide and threat to the values of humanity.
To read Dr. Zenz’s latest report, please click here.
To view the BBC’s report on the transfer of Uyghur slaves, click here.
