Rabat – The German car manufacturer Volkswagen is facing accusations of “systemic human rights abuses” in Brazil during the military dictatorship in the 70s and 80s, as well as criticism for its continued operations in the Xinjiang region in China.
Volkswagen, the world’s second biggest car manufacturer, has been summoned to appear before court in Brazil on June 14, as former employees have been seeking compensation for years.
The company told AFP it “takes the accusations very seriously,” but declined to comment further “due to possible legal proceedings.”
According to court documents, workers were subjected to abuse and violence by armed guards during the construction of one of the company’s facilities.
There were even claims of mysterious disappearances, with one woman claiming her child died as a result of violent abuse. Another worker claims his wife was raped as punishment.
Other claims included Volkswagen collaborating with police to detain and torture union activists and leftist opponents.
“VW had obviously not only accepted this form of slavery but also encouraged it, as it was cheap labour,” Rafael Garcia, the prosecutor in charge of the case, told German media, calling the practices “a form of modern slavery.”
The company also came under fire for its continued operations in the Xinjiang province in China, where the Chinese government has been accused of human rights abuses against the Muslim population.
China has been criticized for alleged detention camps against the Uyghur population, as well as using them in forced labor.
While Germany’s Economy Ministry has reportedly turned down investment applications from the firm in China over the human rights abuses, Volkswagen’s CEO Herbert Diess said they plan to continue the operations in Xinjiang.
“I believe that the presence of SAIC Volkswagen leads to the situation improving for people,” he told the Handelsblatt newspaper on Monday. “We travel there, and like everywhere in the world we ensure our labor standards are implemented, and that cultural and religious differences are respected.”
Diess added that any evidence of Volkswagen’s complicity in human rights abuses would be faced with a “massive” response.
