On Wednesday, December 3rd, as French President Macron began his visit to China, one of the world’s largest international human rights organizations, Human Rights Watch, urged Macron to publicly raise the issue of human rights abuses by the Chinese Communist Party and make “respecting human rights” a core issue in Sino-French relations.
Human Rights Watch stated in a press release: “President Macron should demonstrate his commitment to taking concrete actions against the escalating repression in China. Key issues include labor rights violations in the Chinese supply chain, Russia’s use of commercial drones produced by Chinese companies to attack civilians in Ukraine, and China’s use of transnational repression to target critics overseas, including dissidents in France.”
Bénédicte Jeannerod, director of the French branch of Human Rights Watch, emphasized the significant impact of China’s human rights abuses on France. From weapons used by Russian forces in illegal attacks in Ukraine to labor exploitation in the supply chain hindering fair competition in European industries, Macron should show leadership in breaking the taboo on human rights and other issues in dialogues with Chinese officials.
Human Rights Watch pointed out that the tendency to separate human rights from economic and political issues in bilateral relations has hindered efforts by France and other EU countries to address serious human rights violations by China. Macron should acknowledge the inseparable connection between human rights and economic or political issues and incorporate human rights into wide-ranging policy dialogues between China and France.
The opening of the first physical store in Paris by the Chinese company Shein has raised multiple concerns, including allegations of labor exploitation in their business model and the use of deceptive commercial practices, such as sourcing from Xinjiang, where the Chinese government enforces forced labor policies.
Reports from media and NGOs have highlighted the hardships faced by Shein workers in China, including long working hours and meager wages. Shein has promised to help suppliers establish working environments that meet international health, safety, labor rights, and social welfare standards.
International human rights organizations have also confirmed that Chinese authorities force Uighurs and other Turkic Muslim groups to participate in forced labor in cotton, automotive, solar, and critical mineral supply chains. For years, organizations like the United Nations and Human Rights Watch have exposed the human rights violations committed by Chinese authorities in Xinjiang.
In April 2024, the European Parliament passed the Forced Labor Regulation (EUFLR), which, if fully implemented by December 2027, will become a significant tool to block products made with forced labor from entering the EU market, including those from China.
Human Rights Watch noted that while Macron has advocated for the EU to use the Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI), also known as the “trade bazooka” law, to counter China’s coercive trade practices, he should reaffirm to China the importance of fully complying with the recent international conventions ratified, such as the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 29 (on forced labor) and Convention No. 105 (on the abolition of forced labor), to strengthen bilateral relations.
Human Rights Watch also criticized China’s escalating transnational violations and condemned China’s suppression of dissent and ideological control, including within France. In a recent case, Tara, a former student in France, was arrested on July 31 when she returned to China. She was detained by Chinese authorities on charges of “inciting separatism and undermining national unity” for her human rights advocacy activities abroad.
Jeannerod of Human Rights Watch in France stated: “In China, France, and the EU, millions continue to suffer from the persecution and human rights violations by Beijing. Macron should no longer defend France’s silence on human rights issues but clearly indicate that the oppressive actions of the Chinese government are detrimental to core interests of France and the EU. China must change its policies to maintain stable bilateral relations.”
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