China’s Forced Labor Practices Under Spotlight in Senate Hearing

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill on Aug. 4, 2020. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee heard testimony regarding efforts to hold China, Russia, and several other nations accountable for their part in human trafficking.

The June 22 hearing discussed legislation introduced by Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Ranking Member James Risch (R-Idaho), along several other senators, titled the International Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2023.

Members of the committee discussed the need for stronger global commitments to combat this grave issue that continues to plague societies worldwide.

The hearing shed light on various aspects of human trafficking, including the exploitation of vulnerable populations, efforts to address root causes, and the crucial role played by the United States in leading the fight against trafficking.

One significant area of concern highlighted during the hearing was the role of China’s Belt and Road Initiative in facilitating forced labor and human rights abuses. The Belt and Road Initiative has come under scrutiny for its believed ties to forced labor practices.

Of particular concern is the situation of the Uighur minority in China’s Xinjiang region, where reports and evidence have emerged pointing to systemic human rights abuses and the use of forced labor.

Witnesses at the hearing stressed the need to hold China accountable for its reprehensible use of forced labor, especially regarding the Uighur minority.

The Chinese government’s repressive policies in Xinjiang have raised serious concerns about human rights violations and the exploitation of Uighur individuals through forced labor.

International Efforts

Addressing this issue requires international cooperation and a united front against such abuses, according to expert witness Cynthia Dyer who serves as the State Department’s Ambassador-at-Large to the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.

According to Dyer, the United States is recognized as a global leader in combating human trafficking, has actively engaged in providing aid, training, and support to civil society and governments around the world.

She also pointed to State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report as a vital tool in this fight, offering comprehensive assessments of anti-trafficking efforts in 188 countries and territories, including the United States. The report acts as a roadmap for diplomatic engagements, encouraging governments to improve their anti-trafficking measures.

To further strengthen the U.S. response to human trafficking, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee discussed the International Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act.

This proposed legislation seeks to enhance accountability for governments and expand prevention efforts, particularly those undertaken by the U.S. Agency for International Development.

The hearing emphasized the urgent need for international collaboration and a victim-centered approach to combat human trafficking effectively. By holding governments accountable, reforming labor laws, and supporting prevention efforts, the United States aims to lead the charge in ending global human trafficking and protecting the rights and dignity of all individuals.

Senior bureau official at the U.S. Agency for International Development, Johnny Walsh, spoke to his agency’s efforts saying, “We provide victim-centered Training and Technical Assistance for Law Enforcement officers for prosecutors for judges, so that they’re maximally effective and compassionate in helping trafficking survivors and prosecuting perpetrators.

The hearing served as a reminder of the atrocities committed by traffickers and the urgent need to address the root causes that allow such exploitation to persist. Only through collective action and unwavering commitment can societies hope to eliminate human trafficking and provide a safer, more secure future for all.

Forced Criminality Originating from China

Testimony shed light on the alarming rise of forced criminality orchestrated by Chinese criminal gangs, who are exploiting victims from around the world through deceptive job postings on social media platforms.

According to witnesses at the hearing, these criminal networks are using platforms like Facebook to lure unsuspecting individuals with seemingly legitimate job opportunities in China and other countries. Victims from 35 nations, including the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, the United States, and the UK, have been identified.

Many victims find themselves unwittingly involved in these criminal operations after accepting what they believe to be genuine IT positions that would utilize their skills.

The modus operandi often involves victims transiting through Thailand or Cambodia before being taken to compounds, frequently located in Cambodia or near the Thai border in Burma, also known as Myanmar.

Once they arrive, the victims are locked in rooms and subjected to appalling conditions. They are coerced into engaging in scam operations and given strict quotas for extracting money. Failure to meet these quotas results in torture, deprivation of food and water, and severe psychological pressure.

“The 2023 TIP Report narratives revealed that victims from at least 35 countries and areas have been identified. The scope of these operations is shocking,” Dyer said.

The extent of this forced criminality was exemplified in a recent incident that made headlines. Over 1,000 individuals from various countries were discovered and rescued from a cyber scam compound in the Philippines.

The hearing underscored the urgent need for a united front against these human rights abuses and emphasized the critical role played by governments in providing support and resources to combat this form of modern-day slavery.