Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the Thai government to refrain from forcibly repatriating 48 Uyghur men currently detained in immigration facilities in Thailand. The men, who have been imprisoned for over a decade, face significant risks of severe human rights abuses, including arbitrary detention, forced disappearance, and torture, should they be returned to China. HRW’s appeal underscores the principle of non-refoulement, a cornerstone of international law that prohibits the return of individuals to countries where they would be at risk of persecution.
The detainees, who have been held in overcrowded and substandard conditions, have endured inadequate healthcare and sanitation, leading to the deaths of at least five individuals. Despite offers of resettlement assistance from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Thailand has resisted efforts to facilitate their relocation to third countries, reportedly succumbing to pressure from China.
The detainees have repeatedly expressed their fears of facing imprisonment or even execution upon their return to China, prompting them to initiate a hunger strike to draw attention to their plight. A letter from the men, dated January 10, 2025, underscores the gravity of their situation, with the detainees urging international intervention to prevent their deportation.
HRW has emphasized that Thailand’s potential repatriation of the detainees would violate its obligations under international law, including the Convention Against Torture, which the country has ratified. Additionally, reports by The New Humanitarian reveal that Thailand’s National Security Council has framed the issue as a national security concern, thereby limiting the detainees’ access to refugee protection mechanisms.
This crisis traces back to March 2014 when Thai authorities detained a large group of Uyghurs in Songkhla province. While some individuals were eventually allowed to travel to Türkiye, many remain in detention under harsh conditions, raising concerns about Thailand’s compliance with international human rights standards.
The ongoing detention of these Uyghurs reflects broader challenges in refugee protection across Southeast Asia, highlighting the need for a coordinated international response. HRW’s call to action urges Thailand to prioritize humanitarian considerations and align its policies with international legal obligations.
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