Volkswagen defends Uyghur slave labor at shareholder meeting amid activist, investor concerns

Berlin, May 10- Volkswagen has defended its joint ownership of a plant in China’s Xinjiang region, and its record in the country, after activists and investors raised concerns at the firm’s annual general shareholder meeting.

The United Nations has said China’s detention of Uyghurs and other Muslims in Xinjiang may constitute crimes against humanity, while rights groups have reported mass forced labour in detention camps.

Investors urged VW to seek an independent audit of the Xinjiang plant.

Separately, activists from the ‘Last Generation’ climate group protested outside the meeting, and some glued themselves to roads leading to the venue.