Counter Uyghur Forced Labor

Uyghur forced labor refers to the Chinese government’s systematic exploitation of Uyghur and other Turkic ethnic groups in the Uyghur Region (East Turkistan) through coercive labor practices. Under the guise of “poverty alleviation” and “vocational training,” Uyghurs are forcibly relocated to factories and agricultural fields, often far from their homes, where they work in harsh conditions without the freedom to leave. This system, driven by state policies and surveillance, serves as a tool for political indoctrination, ethnic suppression, and economic control, affecting millions and permeating global supply chains.

In the United States, the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) was signed into law on December 23, 2021, and officially went into effect on June 21, 2022. This comprehensive legislation establishes a rebuttable presumption that all goods manufactured in whole or in part in the Uyghur Region (East Turkistan) are made with forced labor and are therefore prohibited from entering the U.S. market unless proven otherwise by “clear and convincing evidence.” The UFLPA is enforced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force (FLETF).

The FLETF has developed and published a strategy to ensure the effective enforcement of this law, which includes identifying entities engaged in forced labor, updating the UFLPA Entity List, and providing operational guidance to importers to ensure compliance. The UFLPA serves as a robust tool to prevent the importation of goods linked to forced labor and holds companies accountable for their supply chain practices. To date, CBP has examined over 8,000 shipments, valued at over $3 billion, and denied entry for 800 shipments due to non-compliance with the UFLPA.

For more information, visit the official DHS pages on the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act and CBP’s UFLPA resources to understand how the law is enforced and what companies need to do to comply.

The use of forced labor by the Chinese Communist Party is well-documented, and has been a serious cause of concern, particularly as the regime commits genocide against the Uyghurs. Here are some reports and articles that go into depth about Uyghur forced labor.

Reports

Campaign for Uyghurs’ Genocide Report: In July 2020, Campaign for Uyghurs released a report documenting evidence and coming to the conclusion that the Chinese regime is committing genocide against the Uyghurs.

World Uyghur Congress’ Human Rights Report: In May 2021, World Uyghur Congress released a human rights report documenting and covering the events of 2020 in East Turkistan.

IN BROAD DAYLIGHT: Uyghur Forced Labour and Global Solar Supply Chains: In May 2021, a report released by Dr. Laura Murphy investigated the solar supply chain and found that 45% of raw material and 95% of processed materials were made in China, and that forced labor is prevalent through the supply chain, tainting the global supply.

Newlines’ Institute & Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights Genocide Report: In March 2021, the independent think tank Newlines’ Institute published a report documenting the crimes committed by the Chinese regime against Uyghurs. The legal analysis of the evidence and international law concluded that the CCP was committing genocide against the Uyghur people, violating the United Nations Genocide Convention.

Human Rights Watch Crimes Against Humanity Report: In April 2021, Human Rights Watch released a report concluding that the actions of the Chinese regime against Uyghurs and Turkic people constituted Crimes Against Humanity under the ICC Rome Statute. The report compiles findings and provides recommendations to the Chinese regime, international bodies such as the UN, and concerned states.

Australian Strategic Policy Institute “Uyghurs for Sale” Report: ASPI’s report from March 2020 detailed Uyghur forced labor and implicated 83 brands.