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U.S. Senate considers resolution condemning child labor in Uzbek cotton
On April 2, Senator Tom Harkin (Democrat of Iowa) submitted a “sense of the Senate” resolution. The action point:
Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that the Government of Uzbekistan should–
(1) immediately enforce its existing domestic legislation and fulfill its international commitments aimed at ending state-sponsored forced and child labor;
(2) allow a comprehensive independent [...]
Traceability a reality
The UK’s The Guardian reports on an upcoming conference by the Ethical Trade Initiative and sponsored by Tesco, the major UK retailer which was the first to boycott Uzbek cotton: http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/may/24/retail-ethicalbusiness
Tesco has been a pioneer in policing its supply chain to ensure that there is no Uzbek cotton in it.
Twelve-year olds and up out weeding now: Khorezm
http://www.ozodlik.org/content/article/1734915.html
Starting on May 17, children in the Khorezm province’s Yangibozor district have been sent out to weed and work in the cotton fields. The district’s schoolchildren from 6th to 9th grades (12-15 years old) are taking part. Presumably this means lycee level high school students are also out. One sixth grade girl interviewed in the [...]
More evidence from the field: exploitation worse in 2008
Freedom House is distributing a report compiled by a group of Uzbekistani human rights defenders reviewing the country’s human rights record in the last year. Disturbingly, the authors elected to remain anonymous so as not to risk repercussions. The climate for honest reporting and analysis continues to worsen, evidently.
The report’s main conclusion: the government [...]
What not to wear–antislavery edition
Why is the UK historically so out in front on social justice issues? From the anti-slavery crusade, to anti-vivisectionists, and now for ethical consumption. Bad conscience, maybe?
Sourcing responsible cotton
On May 13th 2009, As You Sow, Boston Common Asset Management, Calvert Group , CREA, and the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility hosted a meeting highlighting key environmental and social risks associated with cotton production and steps organizations can take to help eliminate the use of child labor in cotton production in Uzbekistan.
The all-day meeting [...]
Andijan and cotton
On May 13, Freedom House and Human Rights Watch organized a commemoration of the Andijan massacre, when Uzbekistan’s government forces gunned down hundreds of peaceful protestors on the Fergana Valley city’s main square on that date in 2005. Senator McCain spoke and his remarks can be read here: http://www.freedomhouse.org/uploads/features/Andijan_Commemoration_Speech_5-11-09.pdf He urged the new administration to be [...]
Uzbekistan’s government responds: It’s a conspiracy! And besides, we love children.
After the BBC’s Newsnight documentary aired, clearly showing kids 10 and younger out picking cotton at their school’s behest, Uzbekistan’s UK embassy had to fire back somehow. (If you haven’t seen it, view the October 2007 piece here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/7068096.stm
Here is the Embassy’s statement:
EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN TO THE UNITED KINGDOM
OF GREAT BRITAIN AND [...]
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