The United Nations has called on Thailand to immediately halt the deportation of 48 Uyghur detainees to China, citing concerns over the risk of torture, enforced disappearance, and other human rights violations. The UN emphasized Thailand’s obligation under the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to countries where they face serious harm.
The Uyghurs, who have been detained in Thailand since 2014 after fleeing China’s Xinjiang region, face a significant risk if deported, with the UN noting that the treatment of Uyghur minorities in China is well-documented. The experts also raised alarm over the detainees’ health, as 23 are reportedly suffering from serious medical conditions, and called for immediate access to asylum procedures and medical care.
Despite denials from Thai authorities, including the Royal Thai Police (RTP), that deportation plans are in motion, concerns persist after reports that the detainees have been instructed to complete new paperwork and photographed, actions that are perceived as preparation for their deportation.
The detainees, who have been held under poor conditions without legal representation or UN refugee agency access, are part of a broader issue of Thailand’s handling of Uyghur refugees. In 2015, over 100 Uyghurs were deported to China, where they reportedly faced severe mistreatment, a move that drew international condemnation.
Human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch (HRW), have criticized Thailand for potentially bowing to pressure from China. HRW’s Asia Director, Elaine Pearson, called for the detainees’ release and resettlement in a safe third country, urging Thailand to uphold international law and avoid diplomatic tensions.
Thailand’s actions are further complicated by its non-signatory status to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its history of immigration policies that have failed to protect vulnerable populations. Rights advocates warn that deporting the Uyghurs would violate Thailand’s commitments under both the UN Convention Against Torture and its 2022 Act on Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearances.
Picture from Freepik
