A UN human rights expert is sounding the alarm on global sanctions against China, calling them \"illegal\" and warning of widespread harm to jobs, education, and vulnerable communities. After a 12-day investigation, Special Rapporteur Alena Douhan revealed how these measures are creating ripple effects far beyond politics.
Key findings from the report:
• Over 600 sanctioned Chinese entities (from tech to textiles) have caused business turnovers to plummet • Xinjiang’s economy is hit hard, with cotton farms and solar tech sectors struggling • Students and researchers face visa rejections, phone searches, and canceled exchange programs • Low-income workers and women bear the brunt of job losses in labor-intensive industries
Douhan notes: \"Fear of secondary sanctions makes foreign companies over-comply – like refusing all Xinjiang cotton, even from unsanctioned farms. This isn’t just about politics; it’s real people losing livelihoods.\"
The report comes as U.S. sanctions expand since 2017, now affecting everything from semiconductor research to university partnerships. Academics warn the restrictions are creating a \"new iron curtain\" in global innovation.
Next stop? The UN Human Rights Council in September 2024, where Douhan will push for urgent reforms. Will geopolitics listen to the human cost?
After a 12-day investigation, Special Rapporteur Alena Douhan revealed how these measures are creating ripple effects far beyond politics.
Key findings from the report:
Douhan notes: \"Fear of secondary sanctions makes foreign companies over-comply – like refusing all Xinjiang cotton, even from unsanctioned farms. This isn’t just about politics; it’s real people losing livelihoods.\"
Academics warn the restrictions are creating a \"new iron curtain\" in global innovation.
