President Biden signed a legislation that renews Global Magnitsky human rights sanctions on Chinese government officials. Credit: © 2024 Uyghur Human Rights Project.

This act, which was first enacted on 17 June 2020 and applauded by the Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP), will now remain in force for at least a decade.  

In accordance with the 2020 Act, the US has implemented Global Magnitsky human rights sanctions against 12 individuals responsible for atrocity crimes committed against Uyghurs and other Turkic groups. These sanctions target ten officials and two government entities. 

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Included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which Congress approved on 18 December, are two significant pieces of legislation: 

– The Uyghur Human Rights Policy Reauthorization Act of 2024 (S. 4465), put forward by Senator Marco Rubio (R) alongside Senator Jeff Merkley (D). 

– Legislation to prolong the ability to enforce sanctions concerning human rights issues in Hong Kong, Tibet, and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (H.R.8366), introduced by Representative Chris Smith (R) with Rep Jim McGovern (D), and supported by Reps Dean Phillips (D) and Joe Wilson (R). 

For the first time, Congress has enacted global measures that prohibit federal procurement of goods produced with forced labour from the Uyghur region. This builds upon the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act which has barred such imports into the US since 2022.  

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The latest provisions for 2025 expand this ban to cover goods utilised by the Department of Defense globally: 

– A prohibition on using federal funds by the Department of Defense to purchase any solar energy products made in the Uyghur Region or elsewhere in China if they are known to be produced with forced labour (SEC. 7208). 

UHRP executive director Omer Kanat said: “It’s a gift of hope for Uyghurs. Congressional leaders stand with the Uyghur people to dial up the pressure to end the atrocities in our homeland. 

“We thank the Republicans and Democrats who came together in the House and the Senate to re-authorise the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020, to ensure that sanctions continue.”  

According to the United States Fashion Industry Association’s 2024 Mid-Year Sourcing Trends & Outlook Report, China remained the world’s largest clothing exporter in 2023 with a double-digit market share. 

In November, UHRP endorsed a collective advocacy initiative calling for the re-authorisation of human rights sanctions that safeguard Hong Kongers and Tibetans’ rights.  

This initiative was supported by multiple organisations including the International Campaign for Tibet, Campaign for Uyghurs, Washingtonians Supporting Hong Kong, Students for a Free Tibet, Hong Kong Democracy Council, Uyghur American Association, and Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation. 

Last month, the UHRP also commended Canada’s decision to sanction eight Chinese officials due to their role in severe human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other Turkic communities in East Turkistan.