China, notably the situation of the Uighurs

28.7.2020

Question for written answer E-004427/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Samira Rafaela (Renew)

The internment of thousands, if not millions, of Uighurs and other Muslims in the north-western Xinjiang province of China is an unacceptable situation. It has become clear that these people are forced to do labour and it has now become clear that forced labour included the production of personal protective equipment (PPE) and garments [1] .

• 1.Can the Commission state unequivocally that no garments or PPE imported into the European Union from China were produced by means of forced labour?
• 2.If not, what concrete steps will it take to ensure that the supply of garments and PPE to the European Union is in no way connected to forced labour?
• 3.How will the upcoming proposal for mandatory due diligence requirements enable the European Union to effectively contribute to fair working conditions in the partner countries we are trading with?

• [1] https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/19/world/asia/china-mask-forced-labor.html