World Uyghur Congress slams China's ethnic unity law, welcomes US crackdown on firms linked to forced labour

Demonstrations were held in multiple countries to oppose China's Ethnic Unity Law, which came into effect on July 1.

On August 1, WUC Executive Committee Chair Rushan Abbas joined the Global Day of Action in New York, marking one month since Tibetan activist Pawo Lobga Rangzen self-immolated outside the United Nations headquarters in protest against the legislation.

The campaign continued on August 2 with demonstrations in London, where Uyghurs, Tibetans, Southern Mongolians, Hongkongers, Taiwanese, Chinese dissidents and other supporters gathered to denounce the law.

The protest was also attended by Stop Uyghur Genocide President Rahima Mahmut, reflecting growing international opposition to Beijing's ethnic policies.

The WUC also welcomed the United States government's decision to expand the Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List.

Announced on July 31 and effective from August 3, the latest action adds 43 Chinese companies operating in sectors ranging from food production to electronics and metals. The updated list now includes 187 entities.

Under the UFLPA, products manufactured wholly or partially by listed companies are presumed to have been produced using forced labour and are barred from entering the United States unless importers can demonstrate otherwise.

The WUC described the expansion as an important step towards strengthening accountability in global supply chains linked to alleged forced labour in East Turkistan.

Separately, the WUC endorsed the US Select Committee on China's call for Congress to pass the Transnational Repression Policy Act.

The appeal follows the conviction of two US citizens in May 2026 for operating an alleged overseas Chinese police station in New York on behalf of China's Ministry of Public Security. (ANI)