Dear Supporter
This Pesach Jews will commemorate our ancestors’ delivery from slavery in Egypt.
And we will join together to give thanks for our freedom.
But slavery is not history. And we are surrounded by a very modern manifestation of that fact … solar panels.
Solar panels – green, but not clean
A very high proportion of the world’s solar panels are produced using the forced labour of Uyghur Muslims in China:
- 95% of solar panels rely on one primary material – solar-grade polysilicon
- The Uyghur region accounts for about 35% of the world’s solar-grade polysilicon supply
- All polysilicon manufacturers in the Uyghur region have admitted that they or their suppliers have participated in “labour transfer programmes” (a euphemism for forced labour)
The United States and the European Union have both recognised the problem. They are acting to restrict imports of panels tainted by Uyghur forced labour. So, now the UK risks becoming a dumping ground for these panels.
Our 3-stage plan for slavery-free solar energy
UK solar generation will triple over the next decade. That means a lot of solar panels! Unless we act, our new clean, green energy will come to us with a very dark and dirty secret.
We intend to work with partners in the UK and worldwide Uyghur communities to:
- Raise Awareness – of the connection between Uyghur forced labour and the solar panel supply chain
- Get Industry Onside – encourage solar panel manufacturers and suppliers to commit to transparent supply chains, free from Uyghur forced labour
- Ban ‘Slavery Solar’ – press the government to prohibit the import and sale of solar panels produced using Uyghur forced labour
Green energy must not come at the expense of Uyghur freedoms
We will work to ensure that Uyghur Muslims do not pay the price for our greener energy. Then, hopefully at a Pesach soon, we can celebrate our freedom knowing that our future is not being sustained by forced labour on the other side of the world.
Chag Pesach sameachWith very best wishes
Mia Hasenson-Gross
Executive Director
