UK parliament rejects change to bill to include organ harvesting clause

The UK government has blocked an amendment proposed by the House of Lords on ensuring forced organ harvesting, particularly when dealing with Chinese trade partners, is barred from the UK's public supply chain on September 13.

As reported by the Epoch Times, members of parliament have voted against the amendment from the Procurement Bill for the second time after peers re-inserted it earlier this week.

The amendment would have allowed a contracting British party to exclude a supplier based on their involvement forced organ harvesting. The tweak to the bill would have included suppliers that are involved in transactions with any devices, equipment, or services related to forced organ harvesting.

It was mainly targeting business relationships with China, where a state-sanctioned program involving the execution of prisoners for their organs exists. According to the Telegraph, 60,000 – 90,000 transplants are estimated to be carried out under this practice.

The amendment, proposed by Lord Philip Hunt, received 274 votes in favour and 194 against as many argued that the Procurement Bill already includes terms that would exclude a supplier if he was found to be involved in this practice by labeling it a professional misconduct.

Nevertheless, Hunt commented on the decision with regret, stating, that “the world is becoming increasingly aware of the Chinese Communist Party’s multi-million-pound business of forced organ harvesting from prisoners of conscience. And yet, presented with an opportunity to prevent complicity in these crimes, the government has rejected our proposed amendment”.