Thailand deported 40 Uyghurs to China despite offers for resettlement from the U.S., Sweden, and Australia. The action drew criticism from human rights groups and officials, warning about potential torture in China. Opposition lawmakers revealed that Thailand had alternatives but chose to comply with Beijing’s request. The deportation raises significant questions about Thailand’s human rights commitments and its diplomatic relationships.
In a recent development, Thailand reportedly received resettlement offers for 48 detained Uyghurs from the United States, Sweden, and Australia. Instead of accepting these proposals, Thailand chose to deport 40 Uyghurs back to China at Beijing’s request on February 27. This decision was met with significant criticism from human rights advocates, warning that the Uyghurs could face torture upon their return to Xinjiang, which they had fled over a decade ago.
Despite assurances from China about the safety of the detainees, the Thai government faced backlash for ignoring warnings from multiple sources, including the U.S. and the U.N. Opposition lawmaker Kannavee Suebsang addressed these concerns, presenting evidence that other nations had expressed willingness to accept the Uyghurs. “We’re revealing this because the government has consistently claimed that no country was willing…” he asserted during a meeting with Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials.
The Thai foreign ministry did not offer a response regarding the claims made by Kannavee. A spokesperson from the U.S. State Department confirmed that the United States had indeed offered to resettle the Uyghurs, underscoring that they had worked in collaboration with Thailand for years to avoid the current situation. However, it reportedly declined to pursue resettlement options based on China’s request.
Rights activists like Sunai Phasuk from Human Rights Watch corroborated that multiple countries had shown interest in resettling the Uyghurs, although he mentioned that no formal follow-up was made by Thailand. He criticized the Thai government for seemingly manipulating information to suggest that returning the Uyghurs to China was the only option available.
Following the deportation, concerns over the safety of the Uyghurs were echoed by U.N. experts who emphasized the likelihood of torture upon return. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the action during his confirmation hearing, stating that such a deportation would contravene international norms and Thailand’s own commitments to uphold human rights. This incident has ignited debates about Thailand’s diplomatic positioning between its long-time alliance with the United States and its economic ties with China.
The deportation of Uyghurs from Thailand to China raises significant human rights concerns and highlights the complex diplomatic relationship Thailand maintains with both the United States and China. The incident reflects the dangers faced by the Uyghurs upon their return to a region known for severe human rights abuses, notwithstanding the offers from allied nations to assist in their resettlement. This situation continues to be at the forefront of discussions around international human rights obligations and diplomatic accountability.
Original Source: www.rfa.org
