MIAMI.- The United States Department of Homeland Security sanctioned three companies this Friday that are based in China for contributing to forced labor in the Xinjiang region, where the Uighur Muslim minority lives.
“The Department of Homeland Security remains committed to eradicating the use of forced labor and holding organizations accountable for their human rights abuses,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement.
As the document expands, the Department of Homeland Security “is taking these measures as part of its commitment to eliminate the use of forced labor practices in the US supply chain and promote accountability for genocide and crimes against humanity against Uyghurs and other religious and ethnic minority groups in the Xinjiang (Xinjiang) Uyghur Autonomous Region.”
“We have demonstrated once again through today’s enforcement actions that the United States will not tolerate forced labor on goods coming into this country,” said Under Secretary for Policy Robert Silvers, who serves as Chairman of the Task Force. Work for the Application of Forced Labor.
He added: “Companies must perform due diligence and understand their supply chains. The Interagency Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force will continue to designate entities known to violate our laws, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection will continue its vigilant enforcement at our ports.”
Companies from China included in the list
As of December 11, 2023, goods produced by companies COFCO Sugar Holding Co. Ltd, Sichuan Jingweida Technology Group Co., Ltd. y Anhui Xinya New Materials Co., Ltd. will be restricted from entering the United States as a result of their involvement in trade practices targeting members of persecuted groups, including Uyghur minorities in the People’s Republic of China.
One of the sanctioned companies is COFCO Sugar Holding Co. Ltd, which is based in Xinjiang and is dedicated to refining, producing and importing sugar, as well as marketing and producing various products, such as processed fruits and vegetables. Washington alleges that company officials visited homes in a village in Xinjiang to “recruit” workers.
Another one that is on the ‘black list’ is Sichuan Jingweida Technology Group Co., Ltd., which is based in the Chinese province of Sichuan and produces magnetic devices, such as power transformers or inductors. The company participates in “government-sponsored job transfer” programs.
The third company sanctioned is Anhui Xinya New Materials Co., Ltd., which is based in China’s Anhui province, and produces fibers and other textile materials made from hemp, as well as cotton or wool. Washington claims that the company also participated in these programs named above.
Source: Europa Press
