BERLIN, (Reuters) – Germany’s Economy Ministry refuses to grant Volkswagen (ETR), guarantees that will cover any new investment in China due to human rights concerns. Der Spiegel reported this Friday.

According to the magazine, a spokesperson for the ministry stated that four requests from companies had been rejected “for human rights purposes”.

The magazine also stated, but did not give sources, that Volkswagen was in fact the company.

Volkswagen spokeswoman confirmed that Volkswagen had submitted investment guarantee applications and added that it has not received a decision from the ministry.

Germany’s Economy Ministry could not be reached immediately for comment.

Volkswagen owns a plant located in China’s Xinjiang area, where rights organizations and western countries claim that ethnic Uyghurs are subject to systematic repression. China refutes the claim.