S. 1542: Uyghur Policy Act of 2025

The Uyghur Policy Act of 2025 aims to address human rights issues concerning Uyghurs and other minority groups residing mainly in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) of China. The bill seeks to support the preservation of their cultural identity and to safeguard their rights against reported repression by the Chinese government.

Key Provisions of the Bill

• Findings: The bill outlines various findings about the ongoing repression of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in the XUAR by the People's Republic of China (PRC), including arbitrary detentions, cultural erasure, and discrimination.
• Goals: It is the intention of Congress that the Chinese government should allow unfettered access to the XUAR for the international community, including the media and human rights organizations.
• Promotion of Uyghur Rights: The Secretary of State is directed to promote policies that protect the identity and human rights of Uyghurs and others in the XUAR. This includes working with foreign governments and organizations to support these goals.
• Human Rights Advocacy Funding: The bill allocates funding to support human rights advocates who work on behalf of the Uyghur population and other minorities affected by persecution.
• Reporting Requirements: The Secretary of State must submit regular reports about actions taken to address the human rights situation in the XUAR, alongside strategies to prevent transnational repression against Uyghurs living abroad.
• Uyghur Language Training: The bill calls for the availability of Uyghur language training for U.S. Foreign Service officers to enhance diplomatic engagement.
• International Cooperation: There is a strong emphasis on collaborating with international partners, especially countries in Europe and those with substantial Muslim populations, to address and raise awareness of the Uyghur situation.

Implementation Timeline

The Secretary of State is required to develop strategies within specific timelines after the bill's enactment. This includes creating a strategy for coordinating efforts to manage the situation in the XUAR, which must be presented within 180 days of the law’s passage, and subsequent reports must be submitted annually.

Conclusion of Provisions

The bill stipulates that the requirements laid out will end five years after the enactment of the Act, indicating it is intended to be a temporary measure aimed at addressing immediate concerns regarding human rights violations in the XUAR.

Relevant Companies

• AAPL - Apple Inc.: With its supply chain potentially impacted by the geopolitical stance on human rights in China, Apple may face pressure regarding labor practices tied to the XUAR region.
• NKE - Nike Inc.: Similar to Apple, Nike faces scrutiny over labor practices, especially concerning factories in Asia that may use materials sourced from regions like the XUAR.
• TSLA - Tesla Inc.: Operating in China, Tesla could be affected by broader U.S.-China relations and regulatory pressures related to human rights practices.