09/19/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/19/2024 14:48
Forced labor is used around the world, particularly in the People's Republic of China where the government continues to brutally repress Uyghurs and other ethnic groups from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). The U.S. must remain firm in its unwavering commitment to stand against China's forced labor and acts of genocide.
U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced the No Funds for Forced Labor Act which would require the U.S. Secretary of Treasury to instruct U.S. executive directors at international financial institutions to oppose projects that use forced labor, particularly in the XUAR.
"Forced labor is a horrific practice witnessed worldwide. In China, the Chinese Communist Party continues with its grotesque campaign of genocide against Uyghurs and other minorities. We have a moral duty to ensure our nation isn't tied to any purchases tainted with the forced labor of humans. As the author of the first piece of legislation on Uyghur human rights in the world, I remain committed to ensuring we do more to counter this modern-day slavery practice." - Senator Rubio
"Our tax dollars should never inadvertently go toward projects using forced labor. This bipartisan bill builds off our Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act to ensure the United States is not complicit in this horrific human rights abuse. We need to send a strong message against slave labor wherever this evil appears."- Senator Merkley
U.S. Representative Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Specifically, this legislation would:
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