BANGKOK, THAILAND: Thai authorities have denied reports that the government is preparing to deport 48 Uyghur men, who have been held in detention in the country for several years.
This statement came in the wake of growing concerns from human rights advocates and United Nations (UN) experts, who have warned that the men could face severe risks, including torture, if returned to China.
The men, reportedly detained since 2014 after fleeing China’s Xinjiang province, are part of a larger group of approximately 350 Uyghurs arrested that year for crossing the Thai border irregularly.
They are currently held in Thai detention centres, with calls for investigation and caution in handling their case.
Of the group, 43 are said to be held at the Immigration Bureau (IB) headquarters, while five others are imprisoned in Thai jails, according to Bangkok Post.
In response to these concerns, National Police Chief Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch categorically denied any plans to send the men back to China.
He stated, “We have not received any report of such a plan. This issue needs to be discussed with the National Security Council (NSC),” adding that Thailand’s role is not to intervene in legal disputes but that the Royal Thai Police (RTP) is ready to cooperate with embassies or agencies if required.
However, this denial has done little to quell concerns from international human rights groups.
Human Rights Watch and UN Experts Warn of Serious Risk of Torture for Uyghurs if Deported to China
Human Rights Watch has called for the Thai government to refrain from deporting the Uyghur detainees, asserting that their safety would be gravely compromised in China.
The UN experts echoed this warning, stressing that the men face a “real risk of torture or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment” should they be sent back to China.
They, expressed deep concern about the ongoing situation and the men’s continued detention in Thailand, describing it as part of a broader pattern of human rights violations against the Uyghur population.
Thai Senator Calls for Investigation into Uyghur Detention
Senator Angkhana Neelapaijit, a member of Thailand’s Senate, has also weighed in on the issue.
She revealed that she had received a petition from Chalida Thacharoensak, the chairman of the People’s Empowerment Foundation, demanding a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Uyghurs’ detention.
Angkhana noted that the Senate committee had previously requested permission to visit the detainees, but instead, the Immigration Bureau invited the committee to a meeting to discuss the matter.
She added that the Senate committee would continue to push for access to the detained men and urged the government to handle the situation with extreme caution to avoid backlash.
“This is a serious issue of basic human rights,” Senator Angkhana warned. “We cannot let this matter slide, and the government must be careful not to violate international norms, or it could result in significant reputational damage.”
Meanwhile, Rushan Abbas, president of the World Uyghur Congress, has been vocal in advocating against the potential deportation of the detainees.
On Monday, Abbas met with Fair Party list MP Kannavee Suebsang to discuss the issue. Mr Suebsang stressed the need for the Thai government to devise a clear policy in response to the ongoing situation, noting the international attention on human rights abuses in China.
“It is crucial for the government to be prepared to handle this issue responsibly,” Mr Suebsang said. “If deportation is pursued, we must be aware of the diplomatic ramifications, as countries around the world are watching closely. Thailand needs to take a firm stand on this matter.”
The international outcry surrounding the Uyghur detainees in Thailand has been compounded by a series of damning reports regarding China’s treatment of the Uyghur population in Xinjiang.
A UN report released in 2022 documented numerous violations, including torture, forced labour, and arbitrary detention, within facilities Beijing refers to as “vocational training centres.”
These reports have led to widespread condemnation of China’s actions in the region, though the Chinese government continues to deny the allegations, insisting that its policies in Xinjiang are aimed at combating extremism and ensuring security.
Many of the Uyghur detainees in Thailand are believed to have fled China due to fear of persecution, with some making their way through Myanmar before reaching Thailand.
However, their journey has led to an indefinite detention in Thailand, where they have become embroiled in a diplomatic balancing act.
Observers suggest that the Thai authorities are caught in a difficult position, attempting to avoid angering both Beijing, with which Thailand shares strong diplomatic and economic ties, and the United States and other Western countries, which have been critical of China’s human rights record.
The situation has become even more urgent for some members of the detained group, as reports indicate that 23 of the 48 men suffer from serious health conditions.
