ASPI's 'Uyghurs for Sale' Report: Scholary Analysis or Strategic Disinformation? by Jaq James

Does ASPI's report violate Uighur human rights?

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) released a report in 2020, "Uyghurs for Sale which alleges systematic forced labour of Uyghurs in Chinese factories. The document was referenced in Senate enquiries as if it has some measure of authority. In fact, the report was deeply flawed, as Jaq James so ably established in her report "The Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s Uyghurs for Sale Report: Scholarly Analysis or Strategic Disinformation?" [1] These flaws are outlined here.

ASPI’s Report Context

ASPI is a government-linked think tank, heavily funded by the Australian and U.S. governments and defence contractors. The "Uyghurs for Sale" report accused China of forced labour involving Uyghurs, implicating 82 companies.

Critique of Evidence

Many claims relied on weak, decontextualized, or misrepresented evidence. Case studies cited, such as those involving Taekwang Shoes and Ofilm Technology, showed no substantiated forced labour. The use of satellite imagery and anecdotal reports were critiqued for exaggeration and selective presentation.

Legal and Ethical Issues

ASPI failed to align its analysis with international laws, such as the ILO indicators of forced labour. The report’s framing potentially misrepresents substandard or ordinary working conditions as forced labour.

Adverse Impacts

The report allegedly led to international companies severing ties with Chinese suppliers, causing job losses for Uyghurs. These actions, driven by unverified claims, might violate Uyghurs’ right to work under international human rights law.

Recommendations

ASPI and the Australian government should adhere to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, emphasising transparency, accountability, and remediation. Future funding to ASPI should be conditional on implementing robust human rights due diligence.

Conclusion

The report criticises ASPI for potential disinformation aimed at harming China’s reputation and destabilising Uyghur livelihoods. It calls for accountability and greater scrutiny of similar reports to prevent misuse of human rights narratives for geopolitical ends.

This working paper emphasises critical engagement with such reports, urging reliance on empirical evidence and adherence to ethical standards to protect vulnerable populations.

Sources

1. Jaq James (1 Sept 2022). The Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s Uyghurs for Sale Report: Scholarly Analysis or Strategic Disinformation?. Cowestpro. https://www.cowestpro.co/cowestpro_1-2022_-_sept.p.... Retrieved 15 Jan 2025.
The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) released a report in 2020, "Uyghurs for Sale which alleges systematic forced labour of Uyghurs in Chinese factories. The document was referenced in Senate enquiries as if it has some measure of authority. In fact, the report was deeply flawed, as Jaq James so ably established in her report "The Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s Uyghurs for Sale Report: Scholarly Analysis or Strategic Disinformation?".

Claims

1. forced labor. Forced labour is a serious human rights violation that involves the exploitation of people for work or services through coercion, threat of penalty, or deception. Debt bondage: People are forced to work to pay off a debt that they cannot realistically repay. Human trafficking: People are recruited, transported, or harbored through deception and fraud for forced labor or exploitation. Forced prison labor: Prisoners are exploited for labor without proper compensation or fair treatment. State-imposed forced labor: Governments may compel citizens to work against their will, often for political or economic reasons. Domestic servitude: Domestic workers may be subjected to forced labour, including excessive working hours, restricted movement, and physical or emotional abuse. Status: rejected.

Author

Jaq James

Jaq James founded CO-WEST-PRO Consultancy in 2021. She received a Bachelor of Laws with Honours from James Cook University in 2007 (where she was awarded the Marylyn Mayo Medal), a Master of Public Policy from the Australian National University in 2011, and a Master of Education (TESOL) from the University of Southern Queensland in 2015. She is currently enrolled in a Master of Laws (specialising in international law) at the Australian National University. She was admitted as a lawyer of the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory in 2012.

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