CNA Staff, Sep 15, 2020 / 10:15 am
The Department of Homeland Security has moved to block the import of products made with forced labor in detention camps in the Chinese province of Xinjiang. More than 1 million Uygurs are currently held in concentration camps in the province, and numerous reports by human rights groups and governments have identified instances for forced labor, torture, and other abuses.
Customs and Border Patrol issued five "Withhold Release Orders" on September 14, which direct that ports of entry withhold release on five categories of products.
"By taking this action, DHS is combating illegal and inhumane forced labor, a type of modern slavery, used to make goods that the Chinese government then tries to import into the United States," said Ken Cuccinelli, the acting Department of Homeland Security deputy secretary in a press release.
The products subject to this order include those made by the Lop County No. 4 Vocational Skills Education and Training Center; hair products made by the Lop County Hair Product Industrial Park; apparel produced by Yili Zhuowan Garment Manufacturing Co., Ltd. and Baoding LYSZD Trade and Business Co., Ltd; cotton made by Xinjiang Junggar Cotton and Linen Co., Ltd.; and computer parts made by Hefei Bitland Information Technology Co., Ltd.