All Reading
This section contains a curated list of useful articles, investigations, books and other reading materials. The list is updated on a weekly basis and suggestions for additions are welcome.
Starting Points:
NCA failure to investigate imports linked to forced Uyghur labour unlawful, court rules
The National Crime Agency’s decision not to launch an investigation into the importation of cotton products manufactured by forced labour in Xinjiang was unlawful, the court of appeal has found.
Human rights group urges UK financial regulator to block Shein’s LSE flotation
Amnesty International UK said Shein’s potential London listing would be a “badge of shame” for the London market because of the fast-fashion firm’s “questionable” labour and human rights standards.
Academic paper based on Uyghur genetic data retracted over ethical concerns
Concerns have been raised that academic publishers may not be doing enough to vet the ethical standards of research they publish, after a paper based on genetic data from China’s Uyghur population was retracted.
‘He disappeared for a year’: The survivors of China’s prison camps in Xinjiang – in pictures
In this photo gallery, some of those freed from re-education camps in Xinjiang - Uyghurs, Kazakhs and other minorities - talk about trying to rebuild their lives in neighbouring Kazakhstan.
At least 20% of NHS suppliers at ‘high risk’ of modern slavery use, review says
Over a fifth of NHS suppliers providing items including surgical instruments, gloves, gowns and face masks are at “high risk” of using modern slavery, according to a government review.
UK solar could be ‘dumping ground’ for products of Chinese forced labour, ministers warned
An amendment to the energy bill, proposed with cross-party support, would require solar energy companies to prove that their supply chains are free of slave labour.
Britain has done more than ignore the Uyghur genocide – from politics to business, it is complicit
“James Cleverly’s barely there pressure on China is hardly surprising, given the companies and even universities playing a role in human rights abuses.”
Xi urges more work to ‘control illegal religious activities’ in Xinjiang on surprise visit
In a second visit since launching an extreme crackdown on the region’s Uyghur and Turkic Muslim population, the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, urged officials in the region to conserve “hard won social stability”.
Waiting to Be Arrested at Night review – the Uyghurs’ fight for survival in a society where repression is routine
The very fact of being a Uyghur in China turns everyday life into a political act, as this memoir by renowned poet Tahir Hamut Izgil recounts.
UK’s Labour Party to recognize Uyghur genocide if it wins elections
The United Kingdom’s opposition Labour Party will aim to declare the Chinese government’s treatment of the Uyghurs a genocide if it wins the next general election.
‘Like a war zone’: Congress hears of China’s abuses in Xinjiang ‘re-education camps
Two women who say they experienced and eventually escaped Chinese “re-education” camps provided first-hand testimony to members of the US Congress.
Governor of China’s Xinjiang region cancels UK visit after backlash
The governor of China’s western region of Xinjiang will not be visiting Britain this week, according to the UK Foreign Office, after a backlash from MPs over alleged human rights abuses in the region.
Iain Duncan Smith accuses Xinjiang governor of ‘murder’ at Uyghur protest
Iain Duncan Smith has accused the Chinese governor of Xinjiang of murder as he joined Uyghur activists protesting against his reported visit to Britain.
Cross-party MPs shocked by Foreign Office talks with Xinjiang governor
The British Foreign Office has shocked cross-party opponents of the Chinese treatment of Uyghur groups by revealing that it has asked the Xinjiang governor for talks.
Canada votes to take in 10,000 Uyghur refugees amid Chinese pressure to force their return
Canada’s parliament has unanimously passed a motion to take in 10,000 Uyghur refugees who fled China, but are now facing pressure to return.
Police in China can track protests by enabling ‘alarms’ on Hikvision software
Chinese police can set up “alarms” for various protest activities using software provided by Hikvision, a major Chinese surveillance manufacturer, the Guardian has learned.
Chinese security firm advertises ethnicity recognition technology while facing UK ban
A Chinese security camera company has been advertising ethnicity recognition features to British and other European customers, despite allegations of involvement in ethnic cleansing in Xinjiang.
Major funds exposed to companies allegedly engaged in Uyghur repression in China
A new report finds stock indexes provided by MSCI include companies using forced labour or constructing surveillance state in Xinjiang, the Guardian reports.
West weighs calling for China Uyghur abuses inquiry at UN
Western powers are weighing the risk of a potential defeat if they table a resolution at the UN Human Rights Council calling for an independent commission to investigate alleged human rights abuses by China in Xinjiang.
Fury at UN human rights chief over ‘whitewash’ of Uyghur repression
Dozens of scholars have accused the UN human rights chief of having ignored or contradicted academic findings on abuses in Xinjiang with her statements on the region. In an open letter published this week, academics called on Michelle Bachelet to release a long-awaited UN report on human rights abuses in China.