Latest news with #TurkicMuslim
Epoch Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Epoch Times
Kmart in Legal Crosshairs Over Suspected Ties to China's Forced Labour Camps
An Adelaide-based Uyghur group is taking Australian retail giant Kmart to court for allegedly sourcing its products from factories connected to forced labour camps in China. The Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Women's Association (AUTWA) filed its application in the Federal Court to compel Kmart to produce documents demonstrating what it knows about two clothing suppliers listed on its 2024 and 2025 factory lists with links to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The Region is home to systemic state-sponsored forced labour camps and well-documented atrocities against Uyghur and Turkic Muslim people. 'Kmart, and all companies, must ensure they are not profiting from forced labour in China. China's mass imprisonment, repression and forced labour of Uyghur people is well-documented. Our community has lost family members, friends, and loved ones because of China's brutal treatment of Uyghurs,' said Ramila Chanisheff, president of AUTWA, in a statement. 'Kmart is a go-to store for so many people in Australia. If the company has profited in any way from this sort of systematic repression, I am sure Australians would be horrified.' Jennifer Kanis, the principal lawyer representing AUTWA from Maurice Blackburn, said this is the first case seeking to hold Australian retailers accountable for forced labour in their supply chains, and urged Kmart to be transparent. 'Kmart tells customers that it supports ethical sourcing and the protection of human rights – but we know there are credible links between two of its factories/suppliers and the use of Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang,' she said. 'Documents will be sought from Kmart to determine whether Kmart engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct about the use of Uyghur forced labour… and the Court will be asked to compel Kmart to hand over information about what due diligence it has conducted on suppliers with links to Xinjiang. Kmart Says It Provides Details of Factories, Sourcing Kmart has denied the AUTWA's allegations, saying it was disappointed the group took the legal action, and that it 'invited the AUTWA to meet' with them several times. 'Kmart has been in correspondence with the applicant's lawyers for over 12 months and has provided extensive details of our Ethical Sourcing Program,' a spokesperson for the Wesfarmers-owned retailer told The Epoch Times. 'For over 15 years, we have had in place an Ethical Sourcing Program, which helps us to identify and mitigate modern slavery risks, including the risk of forced labour, in our operations and supply chains. 'Suppliers in the Kmart Ethical Sourcing Program are regularly monitored through activities including our site visits, audit programs and investigations if we receive any reports or complaints of concern,' they said. 'We encourage any organisation to raise its concerns with us, so we can investigate in line with our policy and commitments.' Kmart's website has details on its stance on slavery and a list of where it sources products. Weaknesses in Australian Laws Highlighted Freya Dinshaw, the associate legal director of Human Rights Law Centre, which is representing AUTWA along with Maurice Blackburn, said that the case highlights some of the weaknesses in Australia's modern slavery laws. 'It shouldn't be left to members of the public to take companies to court and force them to open their books where there are suspicions of links to modern slavery,' said Dinshaw. 'Australian companies should be legally required to investigate and prevent forced labour in their supply chains and face hard consequences if they don't. Australia should also follow the example of other countries like Canada and the U.S. and ban imported goods made with forced labour, so they don't end up on our shop shelves.' The United Nations and human rights organisations have long accused the ruling Chinese Communist Party of crimes against humanity and possible genocide against Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim ethnic groups in China's Xinjiang region. Unlike the United States and several European nations, Australia has yet to enact laws banning goods tied to the abuse of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities, despite repeated calls from human rights groups and a Senate inquiry recommending action.
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Kmart accused of misleading over slave labour supplies
Retail giant Kmart is facing accusations it misled customers on its ethical credentials by sourcing clothing supplies from factories in China with links to slave labour. An Australian-based Uyghur group has filed a lawsuit against the outlet in the Federal Court, seeking to gain documents so they can see whether it knowingly sourced stock from suppliers who used forced labour from those in the ethnic group. In its ethical sourcing statement, Kmart said it aimed to provide products that respected human rights according to its ethical sourcing code which committed to abiding by international standards, including guidelines set out in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The lawsuit filed by the Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Women's Association claims Kmart included on its 2024 and 2025 factory lists two suppliers with links to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It said this region in China's west has been well-documented for "systemic state-sponsored forced labour and other atrocities against Uyghur and other Turkic Muslim people". The group wants proof from Kmart that it has abided by its ethical sourcing promises regarding these suppliers and whether its public statements have been misleading or deceptive. Kmart must ensure it is not profiting off forced labour in China, association president Ramila Chanisheff said. "We're demanding answers from Kmart so we know whether its actions live up to its words about addressing forced labour risks in its supply chain," she said. The retailer risks a legal claim that it breached Australian Consumer Law by misleading and deceptive conduct if documents show it had failed to monitor the risk of it using forced labour in its supply chain. Maurice Blackburn principal lawyer Jennifer Kanis said the firm was using this first-of-its-kind case to bring real accountability to Australian retailers. "Kmart tells customers that it supports ethical sourcing and the protection of human rights – but we know there are credible links between two of its factories and suppliers and the use of Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang," Ms Kanis said. Human Rights Law Centre associate legal director Freya Dinshaw said the case highlighted the weaknesses in Australia's laws when members of the public are left to take companies to court on suspicions of modern slavery. Unlike the United States, Australia has not banned imports of products made in the Xinjiang region, instead opting for a transparency approach which requires businesses to report annually on their actions to identify and address slavery risks. Wesfarmers, the parent company of Kmart, has been contacted for comment. Retail giant Kmart is facing accusations it misled customers on its ethical credentials by sourcing clothing supplies from factories in China with links to slave labour. An Australian-based Uyghur group has filed a lawsuit against the outlet in the Federal Court, seeking to gain documents so they can see whether it knowingly sourced stock from suppliers who used forced labour from those in the ethnic group. In its ethical sourcing statement, Kmart said it aimed to provide products that respected human rights according to its ethical sourcing code which committed to abiding by international standards, including guidelines set out in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The lawsuit filed by the Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Women's Association claims Kmart included on its 2024 and 2025 factory lists two suppliers with links to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It said this region in China's west has been well-documented for "systemic state-sponsored forced labour and other atrocities against Uyghur and other Turkic Muslim people". The group wants proof from Kmart that it has abided by its ethical sourcing promises regarding these suppliers and whether its public statements have been misleading or deceptive. Kmart must ensure it is not profiting off forced labour in China, association president Ramila Chanisheff said. "We're demanding answers from Kmart so we know whether its actions live up to its words about addressing forced labour risks in its supply chain," she said. The retailer risks a legal claim that it breached Australian Consumer Law by misleading and deceptive conduct if documents show it had failed to monitor the risk of it using forced labour in its supply chain. Maurice Blackburn principal lawyer Jennifer Kanis said the firm was using this first-of-its-kind case to bring real accountability to Australian retailers. "Kmart tells customers that it supports ethical sourcing and the protection of human rights – but we know there are credible links between two of its factories and suppliers and the use of Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang," Ms Kanis said. Human Rights Law Centre associate legal director Freya Dinshaw said the case highlighted the weaknesses in Australia's laws when members of the public are left to take companies to court on suspicions of modern slavery. Unlike the United States, Australia has not banned imports of products made in the Xinjiang region, instead opting for a transparency approach which requires businesses to report annually on their actions to identify and address slavery risks. Wesfarmers, the parent company of Kmart, has been contacted for comment. Retail giant Kmart is facing accusations it misled customers on its ethical credentials by sourcing clothing supplies from factories in China with links to slave labour. An Australian-based Uyghur group has filed a lawsuit against the outlet in the Federal Court, seeking to gain documents so they can see whether it knowingly sourced stock from suppliers who used forced labour from those in the ethnic group. In its ethical sourcing statement, Kmart said it aimed to provide products that respected human rights according to its ethical sourcing code which committed to abiding by international standards, including guidelines set out in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The lawsuit filed by the Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Women's Association claims Kmart included on its 2024 and 2025 factory lists two suppliers with links to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It said this region in China's west has been well-documented for "systemic state-sponsored forced labour and other atrocities against Uyghur and other Turkic Muslim people". The group wants proof from Kmart that it has abided by its ethical sourcing promises regarding these suppliers and whether its public statements have been misleading or deceptive. Kmart must ensure it is not profiting off forced labour in China, association president Ramila Chanisheff said. "We're demanding answers from Kmart so we know whether its actions live up to its words about addressing forced labour risks in its supply chain," she said. The retailer risks a legal claim that it breached Australian Consumer Law by misleading and deceptive conduct if documents show it had failed to monitor the risk of it using forced labour in its supply chain. Maurice Blackburn principal lawyer Jennifer Kanis said the firm was using this first-of-its-kind case to bring real accountability to Australian retailers. "Kmart tells customers that it supports ethical sourcing and the protection of human rights – but we know there are credible links between two of its factories and suppliers and the use of Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang," Ms Kanis said. Human Rights Law Centre associate legal director Freya Dinshaw said the case highlighted the weaknesses in Australia's laws when members of the public are left to take companies to court on suspicions of modern slavery. Unlike the United States, Australia has not banned imports of products made in the Xinjiang region, instead opting for a transparency approach which requires businesses to report annually on their actions to identify and address slavery risks. Wesfarmers, the parent company of Kmart, has been contacted for comment. Retail giant Kmart is facing accusations it misled customers on its ethical credentials by sourcing clothing supplies from factories in China with links to slave labour. An Australian-based Uyghur group has filed a lawsuit against the outlet in the Federal Court, seeking to gain documents so they can see whether it knowingly sourced stock from suppliers who used forced labour from those in the ethnic group. In its ethical sourcing statement, Kmart said it aimed to provide products that respected human rights according to its ethical sourcing code which committed to abiding by international standards, including guidelines set out in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The lawsuit filed by the Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Women's Association claims Kmart included on its 2024 and 2025 factory lists two suppliers with links to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It said this region in China's west has been well-documented for "systemic state-sponsored forced labour and other atrocities against Uyghur and other Turkic Muslim people". The group wants proof from Kmart that it has abided by its ethical sourcing promises regarding these suppliers and whether its public statements have been misleading or deceptive. Kmart must ensure it is not profiting off forced labour in China, association president Ramila Chanisheff said. "We're demanding answers from Kmart so we know whether its actions live up to its words about addressing forced labour risks in its supply chain," she said. The retailer risks a legal claim that it breached Australian Consumer Law by misleading and deceptive conduct if documents show it had failed to monitor the risk of it using forced labour in its supply chain. Maurice Blackburn principal lawyer Jennifer Kanis said the firm was using this first-of-its-kind case to bring real accountability to Australian retailers. "Kmart tells customers that it supports ethical sourcing and the protection of human rights – but we know there are credible links between two of its factories and suppliers and the use of Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang," Ms Kanis said. Human Rights Law Centre associate legal director Freya Dinshaw said the case highlighted the weaknesses in Australia's laws when members of the public are left to take companies to court on suspicions of modern slavery. Unlike the United States, Australia has not banned imports of products made in the Xinjiang region, instead opting for a transparency approach which requires businesses to report annually on their actions to identify and address slavery risks. Wesfarmers, the parent company of Kmart, has been contacted for comment.
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Kmart accused of links to slave labour factories
Retail giant Kmart is facing accusations it misled customers on its ethical credentials by sourcing clothing supplies from factories in China with links to slave labour. An Australian-based Uyghur group has filed a lawsuit against the outlet in the Federal Court, seeking to gain documents so they can see whether it knowingly sourced stock from suppliers who used forced labour from those in the ethnic group. In its ethical sourcing statement, Kmart said it aimed to provide products that respected human rights according to its ethical sourcing code which committed to abiding by international standards, including guidelines set out in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The lawsuit filed by the Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Women's Association claims Kmart included on its 2024 and 2025 factory lists two suppliers with links to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It said this region in China's west has been well-documented for "systemic state-sponsored forced labour and other atrocities against Uyghur and other Turkic Muslim people". The group wants proof from Kmart that it has abided by its ethical sourcing promises regarding these suppliers and whether its public statements have been misleading or deceptive. Kmart must ensure it is not profiting off forced labour in China, association president Ramila Chanisheff said. "We're demanding answers from Kmart so we know whether its actions live up to its words about addressing forced labour risks in its supply chain," she said. The retailer risks a legal claim that it breached Australian Consumer Law by misleading and deceptive conduct if documents show it had failed to monitor the risk of it using forced labour in its supply chain. Maurice Blackburn principal lawyer Jennifer Kanis said the firm was using this first-of-its-kind case to bring real accountability to Australian retailers. "Kmart tells customers that it supports ethical sourcing and the protection of human rights – but we know there are credible links between two of its factories and suppliers and the use of Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang," Ms Kanis said. Human Rights Law Centre associate legal director Freya Dinshaw said the case highlighted the weaknesses in Australia's laws when members of the public are left to take companies to court on suspicions of modern slavery. Unlike the United States, Australia has not banned imports of products made in the Xinjiang region, instead opting for a transparency approach which requires businesses to report annually on their actions to identify and address slavery risks. Wesfarmers, the parent company of Kmart, has been contacted for comment.
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Kmart accused of misleading over slave labour supplies
Retail giant Kmart is facing accusations it misled customers on its ethical credentials by sourcing clothing supplies from factories in China with links to slave labour. An Australian-based Uyghur group has filed a lawsuit against the outlet in the Federal Court, seeking to gain documents so they can see whether it knowingly sourced stock from suppliers who used forced labour from those in the ethnic group. In its ethical sourcing statement, Kmart said it aimed to provide products that respected human rights according to its ethical sourcing code which committed to abiding by international standards, including guidelines set out in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The lawsuit filed by the Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Women's Association claims Kmart included on its 2024 and 2025 factory lists two suppliers with links to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It said this region in China's west has been well-documented for "systemic state-sponsored forced labour and other atrocities against Uyghur and other Turkic Muslim people". The group wants proof from Kmart that it has abided by its ethical sourcing promises regarding these suppliers and whether its public statements have been misleading or deceptive. Kmart must ensure it is not profiting off forced labour in China, association president Ramila Chanisheff said. "We're demanding answers from Kmart so we know whether its actions live up to its words about addressing forced labour risks in its supply chain," she said. The retailer risks a legal claim that it breached Australian Consumer Law by misleading and deceptive conduct if documents show it had failed to monitor the risk of it using forced labour in its supply chain. Maurice Blackburn principal lawyer Jennifer Kanis said the firm was using this first-of-its-kind case to bring real accountability to Australian retailers. "Kmart tells customers that it supports ethical sourcing and the protection of human rights – but we know there are credible links between two of its factories and suppliers and the use of Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang," Ms Kanis said. Human Rights Law Centre associate legal director Freya Dinshaw said the case highlighted the weaknesses in Australia's laws when members of the public are left to take companies to court on suspicions of modern slavery. Unlike the United States, Australia has not banned imports of products made in the Xinjiang region, instead opting for a transparency approach which requires businesses to report annually on their actions to identify and address slavery risks. Wesfarmers, the parent company of Kmart, has been contacted for comment.
