Canadian authorities have initiated an inquiry into allegations of human rights abuses involving the Canadian branches of Walmart and Hugo Boss, DW reports.
The Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE), which examines complaints related to human rights violations, is investigating claims of forced labor within their supply chains. The investigation is centered on whether the companies' activities or products involve forced labor from China's Uyghur Muslims.
Despite the allegations, both companies have refuted the accusations and declined to participate in CORE's preliminary assessments of the claims. The investigation comes against the backdrop of concerns regarding the treatment of Uyghur Muslims in China's Xinjiang region. Human rights organizations and Western governments have repeatedly accused Chinese authorities of conducting a widespread crackdown on Uyghurs, involving re-education camps and forced labor.
The Chinese government has denied these allegations, asserting that the facilities in Xinjiang are vocational centers aimed at combating extremism. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has characterized the treatment of Uyghurs as crimes against humanity, and some Western nations, including Canada, have labeled the situation a genocide.
CORE's investigation is based on complaints submitted by a coalition of 28 civil society organizations. In addition to Walmart and Hugo Boss, CORE is also examining the Canadian units of Diesel (owned by Italy's OTB), Nike Canada, Dynasty Gold, and Ralph Lauren. Walmart Canada has emphasized that it does not tolerate any form of forced labor within its operations.
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