BMW was named in ASPI’s report as one of at least 82 global brands whose supply chains were highly likely to contain Uyghur forced labour. ASPI’s research identified Highbroad Advance Material (Hefei) Co. Ltd, a manufacturer of LCD components with documented links to forced labour transfers of Uyghurs, as one of BMW’s suppliers.
BMW did not respond to ASPI’s findings and has not released any public statements on Xinjiang.
This report is the result of a six-month investigation analysing publicly available documents, which revealed massive and expanding links between western car brands and Uyghur abuses.
(First published 1 March 2020) The Chinese government has facilitated the mass transfer of Uyghur and other ethnic minority citizens from the far west region of Xinjiang to factories across the country. Under conditions that strongly suggest forced labour, Uyghurs are working in factories that are in the supply chains of at least 82 well-known global brands in the technology, clothing and automotive sectors, including Apple, BMW, Gap, Huawei, Nike, Samsung, Sony and Volkswagen.