On October 28, the US banned imports from three Chinese companies due to their role in enabling the use of Uyghur Forced Labour in East Turkistan. The companies are BGI Genomics Co Ltd, MGI Tech Co Ltd and Shenzhen BGI Technology Co Ltd, which the US says is also known as the BGI Group. The three companies were added to the Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act entity list, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
This decision comes only a few months after the US State Department added 43 Chinese companies to the UFLPA entity list, the largest single expansion since the list was published.
Both BGI group and BGI Genomics Co have been shown to conduct genetic testing in the region, supporting the Chinese government in facilitating the recruitment, target and transport of Uyghur forced labour. Meanwhile, MGI Tech Co Ltd provides the government with equipment and support to conduct the genetic testing.
“This is a very positive step by the United States,” said WUC President Turgunjan Alawdun. “Companies complicit in the Uyghur genocide must not be allowed to operate without consequences. Effective measures must be put in place to hold these companies accountable and prevent their products from freely circulating in global markets.”
The WUC welcomes the United States decision in banning the imports from these 3 companies, which not only collaborate with the Chinese government in its ongoing Genocide against Uyghurs but also support the racialized practices of th Chinese government. The decision is an important first step, but there are still thousands of companies and private entities profiting from the suffering of Uyghur people in production chains such as solar pannels, electric vehicles, batteries, the textile industry, rare earth materials, and many others.
The WUC expects the European Union to follow the example set by the United States and take similarly decisive action against companies involved in the use of Uyghur forced labour. On 29 October, a delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade concluded a three-day visit to China. However, its press release made no mention of Uyghur forced labour, despite its central role in China’s commercial strategy. The WUC deeply regrets this silence and encourages the European Parliament to adopt a stronger and more outspoken position on this issue, ensuring that the exploitation of Uyghurs is not overlooked in its engagement with China.
The WUC then urges:
- The United States government to continue adding companies complicit with Uyghur Forced Labour to the Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act entity list, enforcing its ban;
- Other third countries, especially the European Union, to follow the lead of the United States and establish import bans and sanctions for companies involved in the use of Uyghur forced labour;
- Companies to remove themselves from East Turkistan while Chinese state enforced forced labour is still in place, lest they be complicit with Uyghur Forced Labour in their supply chains.
