Thailand’s Vice Foreign Minister revealed that the country had received offers from other nations to resettle 40 Uyghurs before their deportation to China. These offers were deemed unrealistic, prompting the decision to deport the Uyghurs, which has raised concerns regarding potential human rights abuses they may face upon return. Some opposition voices have pointed out other countries’ readiness to accept the Uyghurs, yet the government has downplayed these offers to avoid diplomatic fallout with China.
On March 6, 2025, Thailand’s Vice Foreign Minister, Russ Jalichandra, acknowledged that the country received resettlement offers from other nations for 40 detained Uyghurs prior to their deportation to China. This admission reversed earlier statements from Thai officials. Jalichandra described these offers as unrealistic due to potential retaliatory consequences for Thailand’s economy.
He explained that sending the Uyghurs to China was deemed the ‘best option’ and did not disclose the names of the countries that had proposed to accept them. In a previous development, Thailand repatriated the Uyghurs on February 27, ignoring concerns raised by the United States, the United Nations, and human rights organizations regarding the torture risks they faced in Xinjiang.
Prior to the deportation, Thailand asserted that it facilitated a voluntary repatriation process, following a formal request from Beijing and assurances of safety for the detainees. However, on March 5, Thai opposition parliamentarian, Kannavee Suebsang, informed BenarNews of offers from Sweden, Australia, and the U.S. to accept the Uyghurs, highlighting a discrepancy in the government’s statements.
A spokesperson from the U.S. State Department also confirmed past offers to facilitate the Uyghurs’ resettlement. Uyghurs in Xinjiang are reported to endure significant human rights abuses, a claim that Beijing denies vehemently. China has reassured the public regarding the safety of those deported, claiming they would reunite with their families.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned Thailand’s actions, asserting that the government handed the Uyghurs over to those responsible for their oppression. CAIR’s Deputy Director criticized the inaction of Muslim governments regarding this issue, citing fear of Chinese influence as a deterrent.
Abdulhakim Idris, from the Uyghur Research Center, pointed out that Muslim-majority nations, particularly Indonesia and Malaysia, remained silent on the matter despite their usual vocal stance on Muslim-related global incidents. He criticized this perceived hypocrisy and called out the reluctance of these countries to confront China, a dominant player in the region. Despite outreach, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation has yet to respond to inquiries regarding Thailand’s deportation actions.
The Thai government’s recent acknowledgment of offers for the resettlement of Uyghur detainees represents a significant shift in its official position. Despite these offers being deemed unrealistic, the decision to deport the Uyghurs to China has sparked international concern over human rights abuses. There remains pressure on Muslim-majority nations to publicly advocate for the rights of these individuals, with worries regarding China’s influence over such responses. The lack of cohesive support for the Uyghurs from the broader Muslim community further highlights the complexities involved in international relations and human rights advocacy.
Original Source: www.benarnews.org
