German chemical giant BASF is under pressure to withdraw its operations from Xinjiang, China, due to alleged involvement in human rights abuses against the Uyghur population. A collective of international politicians has urged the company to take immediate action following a joint investigation by German media outlets Der Spiegel and ZDF.
Investigation Findings
The investigation revealed that employees from BASF’s Chinese partner, Xinjiang Markor Chemical Industry, were involved in government-led home visits to Uyghur households between 2018 and 2019. These visits, part of the fanghuiju campaign, have been criticized by human rights groups for being invasive, collecting personal information, and subjecting families to political indoctrination.
Global Reaction
More than 30 politicians from various countries have signed a letter to BASF’s chair, Martin Brudermüller, expressing their concerns about the company’s complicity in the abuses. They emphasized the need for BASF to prioritize corporate responsibility and human rights due diligence by withdrawing from Xinjiang. The letter was coordinated by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), highlighting the international dimension of the concern.
BASF’s Response
BASF has responded to the allegations by stating that they have no evidence suggesting their joint venture employees were involved in the described activities. The company emphasized its commitment to human rights and regular inspections of its sites in Korla, Xinjiang. However, the company acknowledged the seriousness of the reports and committed to further investigation.
This situation underscores the growing scrutiny over international business operations in Xinjiang, where there have been widespread reports of human rights violations against Uyghurs and other minority groups. Companies like BASF are being called upon to reevaluate their presence in the region to ensure they are not complicit in or contributing to these abuses.
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