EP adopts resolution on forced labor at Chinese plant in Serbia

Stephanie Lecocq/Pool via REUTERS

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on "Forced labour in the Linglong factory and environmental protests" on Thursday, expressing concern over violations of human rights and trafficking in the case of 500 Vietnamese nationals brought to Serbia by the Chinese factory.

The Serbian authorities were called to investigate the case and make sure basic human rights are respected, especially labor rights at the Linglong factory, report the findings to the European Union. It also expressed concern over the problem of corruption and rule of law in environmental protection, a general lack of transparency and assessment of the effects on society and the environment.

 

The resolution said that violence by extremist and hooligan groups against peaceful environmental protests is growing and condemned the violation of the basic right to peaceful gatherings. The Serbian authorities are called to publicly condemn what the hooligans are doing. It expressed regret over the drop in media freedom, harsh statements, intimidation and hate speech against the opposition, independent intellectuals, NGOs, journalists and prominent individuals by members of the ruling parties. It condemned the recent attacks on opposition leader Marinika Tepic because of her ethnic origins on a government-support TV (Pink).

Serbian Internal Affairs Minister Aleksandar Vulin commented the resolution saying that MEPs are venting their frustrations. A ministry press release quoted him as saying that MEPs were disappointed that no Serbian heads were broken but that the citizens of Serbia are glad that the streets are peaceful.

The resolution welcomed the fact that EU membership remains Serbia’s strategic goal and encouraged Belgrade to more actively and unequivocally confirm its commitment to European values in public.