NEW DELHI: The European Union approved new regulations on November 24, 2024, banning the sale of products made with forced labor. This initiative aims to combat the exploitation of Uyghurs in Xinjiang, as well as forced labor in North Korea and other countries.
The Forced Labor Regulation, finalized on Tuesday, concludes a decision-making process that began four years ago. The EU estimates that approximately 27.6 million people are subjected to forced labor globally, primarily in private industries, with some enforced by government authorities.
The regulation requires all EU member states to prohibit the sale of products or components made, in whole or in part, with forced labor. The EU intends to eliminate incentives for companies profiting from forced labor within their supply chains.
Effective enforcement will necessitate enhanced investigative capacities among EU countries, as noted by Human Rights Watch. The regulation was initially proposed in 2020, coinciding with the EU's consideration of an investment deal with China, which the European Parliament linked to action on forced labor in the Uyghur region.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, called for a dedicated tool to address forced labor in 2022. However, the regulation's implementation is set to begin in 2028.
Maya Wang, associate China director at Human Rights Watch, acknowledged that while the regulation's approval was anticipated, it marks a significant victory for human rights activists. Although not targeted at specific countries, it largely addresses forced labor in the Uyghur region.
Wang emphasized that the EU regulation is less stringent than the U.S. Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which allows sanctions against entities responsible for human rights violations and prohibits imports from Xinjiang without clear evidence of non-use of forced labor.
China has dismissed international criticism regarding its treatment of Uyghurs, labeling it as foreign interference in its internal affairs. Nonetheless, Beijing has faced widespread condemnation for its policies towards the 12 million Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities.