The European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) has escalated concerns over potential forced labor in the supply chains of major German automakers, Bmw And Mercedes Benz. A formal complaint has been lodged with the German Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA), urging scrutiny into the companies’ due diligence practices in the Xinjiang Autonomous Uyghur Region. This action, supported by the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) and the Association of Ethical Shareholders Germany, comes as companies are legally obligated under the German Supply Chain Act to address human rights risks within their operations and supply networks.
The core of the complaint revolves around allegations of widespread forced labor targeting Uyghur people in the Xinjiang region. A United Nations report has detailed severe human rights violations and repression in the area, while research from Sheffield Hallam University and NomoGaia specifically points to the automotive supply chain in the Uyghur Region as being at high risk of forced labor. This report suggests that companies like BMW and Mercedes Benz, along with Volkswagen, maintain supplier relationships with factories exhibiting indicators of forced labor practices.
Miriam Saage-Maaß, Legal Director at ECCHR, emphasizes the severity of the situation, stating, “In the Uyghur Region, forced labor is state-sponsored, while the civilian population is systematically surveilled on a mass scale. Independent factory audits, which companies might typically rely on for due diligence, are consistently reported as impossible in this region. Therefore, BMW and Mercedes Benz cannot simply depend on audits to meet their human rights obligations.” Saage-Maaß further argues, “Given the grave human rights violations, BAFA must urgently investigate how these companies are monitoring human rights standards within their Uyghur Region supplier facilities and ensure adherence. The mechanisms for this, if they exist, remain unclear. Without credible and effective due diligence, companies should reconsider their business activities in the region.”
The German Supply Chain Act empowers BAFA to act as a monitoring authority. This includes investigating credible reports of violations, issuing concrete recommendations to companies, and imposing sanctions for non-compliance with due diligence requirements. The ECCHR complaint underscores the importance of BAFA establishing clear and robust standards for what constitutes “appropriate” preventative and corrective measures under the Supply Chain Act. The effectiveness of BAFA’s mandate is critical for the law’s overall success in protecting human rights, safeguarding consumers, and ensuring ethical business practices within the German economy.
Dokun Isa, President of the World Uyghur Congress, reinforces the urgency, stating, “The German Supply Chain Act is a significant step forward. Now, it must be demonstrated that it is effective. Automakers like Mercedes, BMW, and Volkswagen have a clear responsibility to guarantee they are not profiting from Uyghur forced labor.” This complaint follows ECCHR’s previous actions in 2021 against European fashion and textile brands facing similar allegations of benefiting from forced labor in the Uyghur Region, demonstrating a continued focus on corporate accountability for human rights within global supply chains. More information about ECCHR’s work on corporate responsibility can be found here.
