Firm has been accused of enabling human rights abuses by supplying cameras used in the repression of the Uighurs.
The United States is moving towards imposing new sanctions on Chinese video surveillance company Hikvision, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing four people familiar with the talks. The potential sanctions would be administered by the US Treasury Department, which publishes a specially designated nationals (SDN) list that bans American companies or citizens from trading or conducting financial transactions with those listed and freezes assets held in the US, the Financial Times said, without clarifying which sanctions would be used.
f imposed, the sanctions could have dire consequences for the maker of surveillance equipment, which already faces other US restrictions for activities contrary to US foreign policy and national security. Hikvision has been accused of enabling human rights abuses by supplying the Chinese government with cameras used in the repression of the Uighurs. Washington has already begun briefing allies, given Hikvision has customers in more than 180 countries, two of the sources told FT. Both the White House and the Treasury Department declined to comment. Hikvision said in an email to Reuters that the company has been and will continue to comply with the applicable laws and regulations in the countries where it operates.
“The mentioned potential action by the US Government remains to be verified. We think any such sanction should be based on credible evidence and due process, and look forward to being treated fairly and unbiasedly,” the company said. Experts say the possible sanctions would increase tensions with China.. .
Source: aljazera.com
