UN Rights Experts Urge Thailand to Halt Deportation of 48 Uyghurs to China

Uyghurs

GENEVA — The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has called on Thailand to immediately stop the planned deportation of 48 Uyghurs to China, citing serious risks of torture and inhumane treatment.

UN experts emphasized that returning the group to China would violate international laws against refoulement, given the well-documented treatment of the Uyghur minority there. The group requires urgent medical attention, with 23 individuals reportedly suffering from serious health conditions including diabetes, kidney problems, and heart disease.

The Uyghurs are part of approximately 350 people arrested in Thailand in 2014 after irregularly crossing the border seeking protection. They have allegedly been held in de facto incommunicado detention for over a decade without access to lawyers, family members, or UN representatives.

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This photo shows an immigration detention center where Uyghur detainees are held in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. The detainees say they are facing deportation back to China, where they fear persecution. (AP Photo/Haruka Nuga)

Five Uyghur detainees, including two children, have died in Thai detention over the past 11 years. UN experts are calling for an investigation into the circumstances of their arrest and continued detention, stressing that all detained persons must be treated humanely and with dignity.

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The experts have urged Thai authorities to provide the group with access to asylum procedures, humanitarian assistance, and proper medical care instead of deportation. They also called for access to legal representation and relevant UN agencies, stating they will continue monitoring the situation.

Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai revealed that the National Security Council meeting on January 17 discussed the UN High Commissioner’s position and related legal considerations. The focus was on finding legally compliant solutions that would avoid creating problems for Thailand and the international community. While previous governments had conducted deportations, he indicated there are no immediate plans for such action.

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Uyghurs Detained in Thailand Say They Face Deportation and Persecution in China