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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2020/2913(RSP))

On Forced labour and the situation of the Uyghurs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region

B-9-2020-0431

on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group · Rapporteur: Idoia Villanueva Ruiz, Nikolaj Villumsen

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Parliament's resolution condemns forced labour worldwide and raises concerns about mass detention, forced labour and restrictions on Uyghur culture in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It calls for the release of people arbitrarily detained, for UN-backed investigation into European companies' labour standards in the cotton sector, and for mandatory human rights due diligence rules for EU companies. It endorses UN recommendations for China to investigate racial profiling and asks for a binding human rights chapter in the EU-China investment agreement.

Key points

  1. Strongly condemns all types of forced labour, noting International Labour Organization estimates of 24.9 million people in forced labour in 2016.
  2. Expresses deep concern about allegations of mass detention in Xinjiang and breaches of human rights such as forced labour and crackdowns on Uyghur culture or identity.
  3. Calls for an end to arbitrary detentions without lawful charges, trials or convictions and for the immediate release of all individuals detained under these circumstances.
  4. Stresses that alleged detention of Uyghurs, Kazakhs and other Muslim minorities at political education detention centres would violate fundamental rights and international human rights law.
  5. Recognises China's role in creating prosperity and lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty, but remains concerned about growing inequality, particularly for ethnic minorities.
  6. Denounces any instrumentalisation of human rights for geopolitical reasons aimed at destabilising a country.
  7. Endorses the UN recommendation for China to investigate all allegations of racial, ethnic and ethno-religious profiling, hold those responsible accountable and provide effective remedies.
  8. Calls on Chinese authorities to identify possible racial profiling through analysis of statistics on individuals stopped by law enforcement and to report publicly at regular intervals.
  9. Condemns the 83 major brands implicated in a report on alleged forced labour of ethnic minorities from Xinjiang assigned to factories across provinces.
  10. Calls on Member States to ensure companies under their national law respect human rights and social, health and environmental standards in third countries, and on the Commission and Member States to act against non-compliant European companies.
  11. Calls for mandatory human rights due diligence legislation with supply chain mapping disclosure and civil liability, and for an independent UN investigation into European companies' compliance with labour standards in Xinjiang's cotton sector.
  12. Reiterates the call for a binding and enforceable trade and sustainable development chapter, including robust language on human rights, in the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment, and urges that EU-China relations be based on respect for the UN Charter and international law.

Who is affected

  • Uyghurs, Kazakhs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang, who the resolution says face mass detention and forced labour.
  • European companies operating in third countries, which are told to respect human rights and social, health and environmental standards.
  • EU companies, which would face mandatory human rights due diligence, supply chain mapping disclosure and civil liability.
  • Chinese authorities, which are asked to investigate racial profiling, release detainees and provide remedies.
  • The EU and its Member States, whose relations with China should be based on the UN Charter and international law.

Figures and deadlines

  • 24.9 million people in forced labour worldwide in 2016, per ILO estimates.
  • 16 million people exploited in the private sector, 4.8 million in forced sexual exploitation and 4 million in forced labour imposed by state authorities.
  • Xinjiang is home to 23 million people, including around 11 million Uyghurs and around 1.5 million ethnic Kazakhs.
  • The Uyghur Region accounts for over 20% of global cotton production and 84% of Chinese cotton comes from the Uyghur Region.
  • The Chinese government plans to double manufacturing capacity in the Uyghur Region by 2025.
  • 83 major brands were identified and implicated in a report on forced labour of ethnic minorities from Xinjiang.
  • The US National Endowment for Democracy has funded several Uyghur organisations since 2004 with over $8.7 million.