The American Apparel & Footwear Association, Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America, National Retail Federation, Retail Industry Leaders Association, and The United States Fashion Industry Association – representing a broad swath of the U.S. business community – have applauded today’s announcement of a global approach to end the campaign of oppression against Uyghurs and other ethnic Muslim minorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (Xinjiang). The organisations say they have consistently called for such a holistic approach.

“Today’s announcement recognizes that no single country and no single approach will stop the persecution of Uyghurs,” AAFA and its partners said. “All stakeholders must play an active role to bring the current genocide to an end. For our part, the business community has spent the last two years working to end any nexus with Xinjiang or with Uyghurs trafficked to other parts of China in order to undercut one component of the campaign of oppression against Uyghurs – forced labour. And we continue to work with the U.S. government and Congress to implement an effective and enforceable strategy to address forced labour in and related to Xinjiang.”

We look forward to working together with Congress, the U.S. government, and our counterparts around the world to bring this tragedy to an end.”

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) is a national trade association representing apparel, footwear and other sewn products companies, and their suppliers, which compete in the global market. Representing more than 1,000 world famous name brands, AAFA is a trusted public policy and political voice of the apparel and footwear industry, its management and shareholders, its nearly four million U.S. workers, and its contribution of more than $400 billion in annual U.S. retail sales. AAFA provides exclusive expertise in trade, brand protection, and supply chain & manufacturing to help our members navigate the complex regulatory environment and lower costs. Members gain unparalleled access to information and exclusive insights on regulation and policy, and premier opportunities for networking and collaboration.

www.aafaglobal.org