September 23, 2020

Correa Takes Stand Against Chinese Oppression Of Uyghur People By Voting To Pass Sanctions On Chinese Labor Camps

Bipartisan Legislation Taking Action Against Chinese Forced Labor Camps Passes Congress

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Lou Correa joined his colleagues in passing the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. This bipartisan legislation establishes strict standards and sanctions to push China to end its oppression of the Uyghur people. 

Rep. Lou Correa said, "America has always stood with the voiceless. Today, the House of Representatives joined our colleagues in the Senate to stand against the Uyghur people's brutal treatment by the Communist Party of China. 

"We must stand up to China's deplorable treatment of its citizens, especially Uyghurs forced into Chinese labor and reeducation camps. Evidence of China's abuse is overwhelming. The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act places strong economic restrictions on companies profiting from Chinese labor camps and takes steps to ensure American businesses can guarantee their supply chains are free from slave labor products. 

"China must immediately end its exploration and assault on the Uyghur people. The United States stands with this small ethnic minority, and will continue to take aggressive action against their Chinese oppressors."

Background: The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act imposes restrictions on Chinese businesses and leaders complicit in China's oppression of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. These restrictions include prohibiting certain imports from Xinjiang and imposing sanctions on those responsible for human rights violations there. The legislation prevents goods manufactured or produced in Xinjiang from being imported into the United States unless Customs and Border Protection is able to verify that the goods were not manufactured by convict labor, forced labor, or indentured labor under penal sanctions. Additionally, the legislation requires Customs and Border Protection to submit a report to Congress detailing their findings. 

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Rep. Lou Correa represents California's 46th Congressional District. He serves as Chair of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, and as the Vice Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet. Read more here.