A group of Uyghur men detained in Thailand over a decade ago are facing the threat of deportation back to China, raising concerns among activists and family members. The 43 Uyghur men held in Bangkok have made a public appeal to halt the deportation, citing fears of imprisonment and potential loss of life if sent back to China. The Uyghurs, a Turkic, majority Muslim ethnicity native to China’s Xinjiang region, have been subjected to a brutal crackdown by the Chinese government, with reports of abuse and mistreatment in camps and prisons.
In 2014, over 300 Uyghurs fleeing China were detained in Thailand, leading to deportations to China and Turkey. Currently, 48 Uyghurs remain detained in Thailand, with reports of harsh conditions in immigration detention, including poor living conditions and lack of access to basic necessities. The Thai government's treatment of the detainees has raised concerns about potential violations of international law.
Recent reports indicate that Thai officials have discussed deporting the Uyghurs to China, with concerns raised about the timing of the potential deportations in light of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China. Activists and rights groups have expressed alarm over the possible deportation, highlighting the risk of persecution and imprisonment faced by the Uyghurs if sent back to China.
The Uyghurs detained in Thailand have submitted asylum applications to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, but the UN agency has been barred from visiting them by the Thai government. The principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the return of individuals to countries where they may face torture, is a key concern in this case.
Family members of the detained Uyghurs have expressed worry and fear about the safety of their loved ones, with concerns about the lack of action by world governments in addressing the situation. Despite claims that no other government is willing to accept the Uyghurs, reports suggest that there are countries willing to provide settlement options for the detainees.
The ongoing situation involving the Uyghur detainees in Thailand has drawn international attention and calls for urgent intervention to prevent their deportation to China.
