H&M joins global clamour in ending alleged human rights abuses in China's Xinjiang

H&M has said it is ending an “indirect” relationship with a supplier in China in light of allegations of “forced labour” within the supply chain, reports Independent newspaper.

In a statement, the company said: "H&M Group is deeply concerned by reports from civil society organisations and media that include accusations of forced labour and discrimination of ethnoreligious minorities in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR)."

"We strictly prohibit any type of forced labour in our supply chain, regardless of the country or region. If we discover and verify a case of forced labour at a supplier we work with, we will take immediate action and, as an ultimate consequence, look to terminate the business relationship," the company said.

"All our direct suppliers sign our Sustainability Commitment that clearly states our expectations with regards to forced labour and discrimination linked to religion or ethnicity, for their own operations as well as their supply chains," the clothing brand said.

The US State Department recently released a new webpage that illustrates the Chinese Communist Party's abuses perpetrated against Uyghurs and members of other minority groups in Xinjiang.

The Department said the U.S. is committed to leading the global fight against these egregious human rights abuses.

"We released a new webpage that illustrates the Chinese Communist Party's abuses perpetrated against Uyghurs and members of other minority groups in Xinjiang. The U.S. is committed to leading the global fight against these egregious human rights abuses," the Department said in a statement.

Image: Wikimedia Commons