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M&S to ban Xinjiang cotton over Uighur 'abuses'

11
Jan '21

Pic: Shutterstock

British supermarket chain Marks & Spencer (M&S) recently announced it will not use cotton from China's Xinjiang region in its apparel in response to the latter’s alleged treatment of its Muslim Uighur minority. In a statement, the company said it had become "one of the first companies to formally sign the call to action on human rights abuses" in relation to Xinjiang.

"This is in line with the company’s long-term focus on ensuring its supply chains are sustainable and ethical, where workers are treated fairly, and their human rights are respected," the company said.
It added it was "already one of the few retailers that does not work with any supplier in or source from Xinjiang".

M&S said four-fifths of China's cotton is grown in the Uighur region, representing almost a fifth of global production, according to British media reports.

"We welcome the leadership shown by Marks and Spencer today... providing assurance to its consumers that M&S products will not be linked to the abuses of Uighurs," Jasmine O'Connor, executive director of Anti-Slavery International said.

She added a recent ‘call to action’ by rights groups set out a clear path for brands to follow that is in line with the United Nations' guidance on business practices and human rights.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

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