China’s Sanctions on Researchers Uncovering Uyghur Forced Labor Are Latest in Intimidation Campaign

December 26, 2023 | 1:00 p.m. EST
For Immediate Release
Contact: Omer Kanat +1 (202) 790-1795, Peter Irwin +1 (646) 906-7722

The Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP) expresses deep concern over the recently announced sanctions targeting research on Uyghur forced labor in global supply chains, the latest salvo in the Chinese government’s campaign of intimidation.

“Attempts to censor and intimidate credible researchers and advocates only demonstrates the desperation of the Chinese government to shut down critical voices,” said UHRP Executive Director, Omer Kanat.

The sanctions target former UHRP project manager, Nicole Morgret, as well as US research and data analytics company, Kharon. Kharon works extensively on compliance with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), as part of its focus on supply-chain compliance risks for organizations and companies. Kharon’s directer of investigations, Edmund Xu, was also sanctioned.

The action is part of a longer pattern of attempts to deter investigations and silence critical voices and activists working to uncover human rights abuses in China.

On December 21, 2021, the Chinese government announced sanctions on USCIRF Vice Chair Nury Turkel and three other Commissioners of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. Nury Turkel is a co-founder and current Chair of the Uyghur Human Rights Project.

Read more:

Sanctions on UHRP Board Chair, USCIRF, Demonstrate CCP Anxiety Over Increased Pressure, December 22, 2021