France is investigating possible forced labor at fashion companies in China. The French prosecutor's office has launched investigations against, among others, the fashion company Uniqlo and the owner of the well-known fashion boutique Zara.
The investigation into possible crimes against humanity has been ongoing since last month, judicial sources said.
The companies are accused of using a system of oppression that employs forced laborers from China's Muslim Uyghur minority. The lawsuit was filed by a Uyghur living in exile and three human rights groups.
The Chinese government on Friday again denied that there are forced labor camps in China's Xinjiang province. "We have repeatedly made it clear that the so-called forced labor in Xinjiang is a lie spread by anti-China forces from the U.S. and some other countries," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said.
"They want to disrupt and obstruct Xinjiang and China. We strongly oppose outside forces interfering in China's internal affairs over Xinjiang-related issues," Wanbin added. It is hoped that no one will be fooled by the lies, he said.
Uniqlo, the U.S. shoe company Skechers, the French company SMCP and the Spanish manufacturer Inditex, which owns Zara, are burdened.
The Uniqlo company told the AP news agency that it wanted to fully cooperate with authorities "to reaffirm that there is no forced labor in our supply chains." read more