NEWS//Worms in Apple and other companies

The world is paying more attention to allegations of China's mistreatment of its people.

Uighur persecution

A court based in London is investigating whether China’s alleged persecution of its Uighur minority amounts to genocide. It has heard witness testimony that has detailed mass torture, rape, and other abuses.

Slave labor

Other reports from China describe slave labor that is at work in Chinese factories and farms.

A number of multi-national companies that make use of that slave labor are being held up for public rebuke. That list includes Abercrombie & Fitch, Adidas, Gap, Calvin Klein, H&M, L.L.Bean, Lacoste, and Nike.

Apple

Apple, for example, has a public relations problem because it contracts with Chinese factories that discriminate against people over 40, people with tattoos, and people from Chinese minorities. That has caused Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Representative James P. McGovern (D-MA) to urge Apple CEO Tim Cook to ensure that Apple’s supply chains are free of forced labor. In the past, Apple has maintained that they found no evidence of forced labor anywhere they operate.

China denies

China has consistently and forcefully denied persecuting minorities, using slave labor, and discriminating against minorities.

Sources: Al Jazeera, Daily Caller, Yahoo News, U.S. Commission on China, U.S. Dept. of Labor, National Legal and Policy Center, Democracy Now 01, Democracy NOW 02, TheInformation.com, Washington Times