Adrian Zenz

Director in China Studies at @VoCommunism. Expert in @EU_Commission Forced Labor Expert Group. Researches Xinjiang & Tibet.

[Adrian Zenz @adrianzenz]

Major news: the @ILO adopts new forced labor measurement guidelines that squarely target Uyghur forced labor. Deeply humbled to see that they adopt my work in their new research guidance on state-imposed forced labor. An analysis is below and in the linked article:

https://t.co/Xtw2r3rp12

In 2023, I interviewed senior ILO officials for a research article, discussing shortcomings of their measurement framework. As a result, I was told that this framework would be updated. The results are impressive: the new document takes all major feedback into account.

1. The existing ILO measurement framework was a largely unknown technical document not accessible to a wider audience. It represented an early effort, with obvious inconsistencies and shortcomings. In contrast, the new “handbook” presents itself as the new and authoritative ILO standard to measure and conceptualize forced labor. It presents “a new unified set of core indicators of involuntary work and coercion.”

2. The new Handbook squarely addresses Uyghur forced labor (without saying “Uyghur). It uses the term “labour transfer” four times. While describing a global phenomenon, this term is only commonly used in Chinese contexts.

3. The new Handbook adds a large section on state-imposed forced labor. This section adopts the concept of “non-internment state-imposed forms of forced labor” in its research guidelines, significantly enhancing the ability to detect the forced labor of Uyghurs.

The concept of “non-internment state-imposed forced labor mobilization” was coined in my work to capture the elusive nature of labor transfers in Xinjiang, Tibet, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan (see https://t.co/obSBwExF1O). Previously the Special Rapporteur on Modern Slavery had adopted my framing of Xinjiang’s two forced labor systems and Tibet’s system.

3. The Handbook notes that forced labor may be implemented by states for political reasons, including for reasons of “altering the population composition in particular areas.” This follows my arguments that Uyghur labor transfers mainly pursue political goals, and are part of state efforts to “optimize” Xinjiang’s ethnic population structure.

4. The Handbook’s statement that non-internment forced labor mobilization is more readily assessed as a systemic risk than a specific instance - adopted from my recent work - provides strong support for arguments that related legislation should reverse the burden of proof, shifting it from enforcement authorities to companies. This could have significant implications for the European Union’s upcoming forced labor legislation – read the Jamestown article for details.

5. The new section on state-imposed forced labor also discusses forced labor linked to administrative detention and “re-education” without legal conviction, language that targets Xinjiang’s camps and clandestine successor systems of China’s erstwhile Re-Education Through Labor (RETL) system.

6. The new handbook outlines an updated indicator framework, with important implications for capturing forced labor transfers in China. Read the Jamestown article for details.

Jamestown article reviewing and analyzing the changes and their significance: https://t.co/Xtw2r3rp12

New ILO handbook: https://t.co/ClLlWDDT3u

Link to the research article on which the ILO based several key changes:
https://t.co/IQksmJujdH

Research related to Beijing's plans to alter ("optimize") Xinjiang's ethnic population structure:
https://t.co/bNK2l8m2MS

Many others were involved in the effort, helped with my work, or were part of ILO engagement, including @chloe_cranston from @Anti_Slavery, @PeterIrwin_ from @UyghurProject, @IrnaHofman, etc.

[Michael @domsalla]

Ethnographie in der politischen Analyse:
#Qualitative #Methoden

[Rushan Abbas @RushanAbbas]

As someone whose family has been torn apart by the CCP, I know how important credible evidence is in the fight for justice. The CCP has invested enormous effort in concealing its crimes against the Uyghur people.

@adrianzenz research demonstrates that even the most secretive regimes leave evidence behind. This methodology will strengthen future efforts to expose atrocities and demand accountability. Congratulations on this significant achievement.

[Adrian Zenz @adrianzenz]

@AMFChina @_JakubJanda @ReasonablyRagin @DSORennie @otkur009 @jwormington @GroseTimothy @lukedepulford @DavidAltonHL @ChinaBriefJT @PLMattis @jleibold @JimMillward @RianThum @TayorUyghur @BethanyAllenEbr @alisonkilling

[Adrian Zenz @adrianzenz]

After years of work, I'm pleased to publish my research method — "Investigative Policy Analysis" (IPA) — in the peer-reviewed journal Qualitative Research (SAGE).

This is the method that played a key role in uncovering Xinjiang's atrocities. Link + details below. 🧵

[Adrian Zenz @adrianzenz]

@AMFChina @_JakubJanda @ReasonablyRagin @DSORennie @otkur009 @jwormington @GroseTimothy @lukedepulford @DavidAltonHL @ChinaBriefJT @PLMattis @jleibold @JimMillward @RianThum @TayorUyghur @BethanyAllenEbr

[Adrian Zenz @adrianzenz]

@M_Johnston1 Thank you very much @M_Johnston1 for your kind words.

[Lord (David) Alton @DavidAltonHL]

Uyghur Genocide in Xinjiang: After several years of work, @adrianzenz has published and shared the research method ("Investigative Policy Analysis") that contributed to uncovering the atrocities in Xinjiang. This is the forensic approach that decisively contributed to uncovering the CCP's system of oppressive policies in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. @UyghurCongress @UyghurStop @Ed_Miliband @Coalition4GR @MahmutRahima Read it here: https://t.co/dVMtkKgBTP

[Adrian Zenz @adrianzenz]

@meclarke114 Thank you @meclarke114 , I hope you have been well.

[Adrian Zenz @adrianzenz]

After years of work, I'm pleased to publish my research method — "Investigative Policy Analysis" (IPA) — in the peer-reviewed journal Qualitative Research (SAGE).

This is the method that played a key role in uncovering Xinjiang's atrocities. Link + details below. 🧵

[Adrian Zenz @adrianzenz]

@RushanAbbas Thank you @RushanAbbas !

[Adrian Zenz @adrianzenz]

@JimMillward Thank you @JimMillward - I appreciate the shout-out. Hopefully scholars can engage in dialogue to jointly work on further developing these types of methodologies. Access restrictions are increasing rather than decreasing.

[James Millward 米華健 @JimMillward]

This is a very important publication: Zenz has codified his systematic methodology for investigating rights abuses through the document trails of China (or other regimes) themselves. Widely applicable for journalists, social scientists. Weaponize your research chops!

[Adrian Zenz @adrianzenz]

@TayorUyghur Congratulations @TayorUyghur