Annette294

Major news: the @ILO adopts new forced labor measurement guidelines that squarely target Uyghur forced labor. Deeply humbled to see that they adopt my work in their new research guidance on state-imposed forced labor. An analysis is below and in the linked article: jamestown.org/program/update… In 2023, I interviewed senior ILO officials for a research article, discussing shortcomings of their measurement framework. As a result, I was told that this framework would be updated. The results are impressive: the new document takes all major feedback into account. 1. The existing ILO measurement framework was a largely unknown technical document not accessible to a wider audience. It represented an early effort, with obvious inconsistencies and shortcomings. In contrast, the new “handbook” presents itself as the new and authoritative ILO standard to measure and conceptualize forced labor. It presents “a new unified set of core indicators of involuntary work and coercion.” 2. The new Handbook squarely addresses Uyghur forced labor (without saying “Uyghur). It uses the term “labour transfer” four times. While describing a global phenomenon, this term is only commonly used in Chinese contexts. 3. The new Handbook adds a large section on state-imposed forced labor. This section adopts the concept of “non-internment state-imposed forms of forced labor” in its research guidelines, significantly enhancing the ability to detect the forced labor of Uyghurs. The concept of “non-internment state-imposed forced labor mobilization” was coined in my work to capture the elusive nature of labor transfers in Xinjiang, Tibet, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan (see doi.org/10.1080/233227…). Previously the Special Rapporteur on Modern Slavery had adopted my framing of Xinjiang’s two forced labor systems and Tibet’s system. 3. The Handbook notes that forced labor may be implemented by states for political reasons, including for reasons of “altering the population composition in particular areas.” This follows my arguments that Uyghur labor transfers mainly pursue political goals, and are part of state efforts to “optimize” Xinjiang’s ethnic population structure. 4. The Handbook’s statement that non-internment forced labor mobilization is more readily assessed as a systemic risk than a specific instance - adopted from my recent work - provides strong support for arguments that related legislation should reverse the burden of proof, shifting it from enforcement authorities to companies. This could have significant implications for the European Union’s upcoming forced labor legislation – read the Jamestown article for details. 5. The new section on state-imposed forced labor also discusses forced labor linked to administrative detention and “re-education” without legal conviction, language that targets Xinjiang’s camps and clandestine successor systems of China’s erstwhile Re-Education Through Labor (RETL) system. 6. The new handbook outlines an updated indicator framework, with important implications for capturing forced labor transfers in China. Read the Jamestown article for details. Jamestown article reviewing and analyzing the changes and their significance: jamestown.org/program/update… New ILO handbook: ilo.org/global/topics/… Link to the research article on which the ILO based several key changes: tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.10… Research related to Beijing's plans to alter ("optimize") Xinjiang's ethnic population structure: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cf… Many others were involved in the effort, helped with my work, or were part of ILO engagement, including @chloe_cranston from @Anti_Slavery, @PeterIrwin_ from @UyghurProject, @IrnaHofman, etc.

Statement with @eucopresident on the Druzhba pipeline Following the renewed Russian strikes on January 27 on the Druzhba pipeline, leading to the interruption of crude oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia, we have engaged in intense discussions with Member States and Ukraine at all levels to restore the flow of oil to Hungary and Slovakia. The EU has offered Ukraine technical support and funding. The Ukrainians have welcomed and accepted this offer. European experts are available immediately. Our priority is to ensure energy security for all European citizens. In this sense, we will continue to work with the concerned parties on alternative routes for the transit of non-Russian crude oil to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.