CFU PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 31, 10:00 AM ET
Sabrina Sohail: sabrina@campaignforuyghurs.org
(650) 703-4523
https://www.campaignforuyghurs.org
Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU) strongly condemns the recent meeting between Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang. Disturbing signals of further expansion in China and Tesla’s opposition to “decoupling” reveal a shocking disregard for the ongoing use of Uyghur forced labor in the company’s supply chain as highlighted in a recent report by Sheffield Hallam University and NomoGaia. CFU demands immediate action from Tesla to end this complicity in the Uyghur genocide.
China’s treatment of the Uyghurs has been officially recognized by the United States as genocide. In response, the U.S. has implemented a series of sanctions and regulatory measures, including restrictions on U.S. business interactions with local operators and suppliers, to address this grave human rights violation. Tesla’s supply chain shows multiple different sources of lithium ion batteries coming directly from East Turkistan, with contracts that go until 2025. Tesla should not use forced and slave labor in sourcing their materials or manufacturing their vehicles.
Executive Director Rushan Abbas of CFU expressed her profound disappointment in these developments, stating: “It is disheartening to witness Tesla’s apparent willingness to expand its operations in China without addressing the issue of Uyghur forced labor in its supply chain. This not only perpetuates the exploitation of Uyghur workers but also undermines the efforts of those fighting for the freedom and dignity of Uyghur people. As a prominent global company, Tesla has a responsibility to ensure that its operations are not complicit in human rights abuses, and that they set an industry standard for US companies who develop clean energy technology. The use of Uyghur slavery in any part of the supply chain is unacceptable and violates fundamental principles of human dignity and freedom.”
CFU calls on Tesla to take a strong stance against the Uyghur genocide and immediately move its supply chain out of China. By severing ties with suppliers involved in the Uyghur genocide and relocating production to countries with strong human rights records, Tesla can demonstrate its commitment to ethical practices and send a powerful message against the ongoing atrocities in East Turkistan. It is crucial for companies like Tesla to prioritize human rights and not contribute to the perpetuation of the Uyghur genocide. CFU also calls on the global community, consumers, and stakeholders to stand united in holding corporations accountable for their actions and pressuring them to ensure transparency and accountability in their supply chains.
