中国ちゅうごく政府せいふの圧力あつりょくによる英えい大学だいがくのウイグル強制きょうせい労働ろうどう研究けんきゅう中止ちゅうし――学問がくもんの自由じゆうと国際的こくさいてき倫理りんりをめぐる議論ぎろん激化げきか

Sheffield Hallam University in central England has revealed that it halted on-campus research into forced labor in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region due to pressure from Chinese authorities.

Professor Laura Murphy, who is in charge of this research, criticized in an interview with the Sankei Shimbun in April 2023, saying, The universitys response is an infringement on academic freedom.

Furthermore, the police counterterrorism unit has launched an investigation into whether the universitys actions violate the National Security Act, which prohibits cooperation with foreign intelligence agencies.

Many reports and international impact Professor Murphy has published numerous reports on forced labor in the Xinjiang region and its impact on global supply chains. These reports have been referenced by United Nations agencies and various governments.

Initially, the university administration is said to have supported this professors activities.

However, when Mr. Murphy returned to school in February 2024 after completing his assignment at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in November 2023, the school administration informed him that any research related to forced labor or China was not permitted.

In response, Mr. Murphy opposed this decision and considered hiring a lawyer to file a lawsuit. As a result, the university apologized, saying there had been a misunderstanding, and allowed him to continue his research.

Pressure from Chinese authorities and the universitys response According to internal documents revealed through an information disclosure request, in April and July 2024, officials from Chinas public security authorities visited a university office in Beijing and repeatedly demanded that Professor Murphy halt his research on Xinjiang.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denounced the Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice, a research institution at the university, as a “base for anti-China forces,” and since August 2022, the university’s website has been inaccessible from within China.

This is also causing difficulties in the schools efforts to recruit Chinese students.

The university, in response to these pressures, decided not to present Professor Murphy’s research report as scheduled and notified the Chinese authorities of this decision in September 2024.

After that, the access restrictions to the schools website were lifted, the threats and harassment against staff in Beijing also subsided, and it has been reported that the relationship with the Chinese authorities has greatly improved.

Regarding academic freedom and international ethical issues, Professor Murphy stated, Universities are the lifeline of knowledge creation and bear a great responsibility and mission. He also expressed concern, saying, If the Chinese authorities once again block websites or threaten university staff, I am worried about how universities will respond.

She also stated firmly that she would continue her research in the future.

On the other hand, a spokesperson for Sheffield Hallam University told the Sankei Shimbun that the decision to halt the research was not based on commercial interests in China.

They also emphasized that out of the 4,204 international students admitted in 2024, only 73 came from China, and asserted, “The university protects the academic freedom of its faculty and staff, and will resolutely defend it when necessary.”