UN urges Thailand to halt deportation of Uyghurs to China over human rights concerns News
Malcolm Brown from Washington, DC, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
UN urges Thailand to halt deportation of Uyghurs to China over human rights concerns

The United Nations called on Thailand Wednesday to immediately halt the deportation of 48 Uyghurs to China, warning that the detainees face a real risk of torture, enforced disappearance and other inhumane treatment if returned.

UN experts reminded Thailand of its obligations under the international principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to countries where they could face torture or other serious human rights abuses. “The treatment of the Uyghur minority in China is well-documented,” the experts stated, stressing the significant danger of mistreatment awaiting the detainees. The experts added that Thailand must provide access to asylum procedures and immediate medical care for the detainees, 23 of whom are reportedly suffering from serious health conditions.

The Bangkok Post reported on Wednesday that the Royal Thai Police (RTP) denied any plans to deport the Uyghurs. However, the UN and rights groups remain concerned after detainees were reportedly instructed to complete new paperwork and were photographed, steps seen as preparation for deportation.

The Uyghurs, detained since 2014 after fleeing China’s Xinjiang region, have been held in poor conditions without access to legal representation or UN refugee agencies. Five Uyghur detainees have died in custody in Thailand, including children, underscoring the harsh detention conditions. UN has urged Thailand to ensure humane treatment, grant access to independent human rights monitors and release the detainees if their detention is found to violate international standards.

Thailand has previously faced international criticism for its handling of Uyghur refugees. In 2015, Thai authorities forcibly deported over 100 Uyghurs to China, where they reportedly faced severe mistreatment. The remaining 48 detainees have since lived in fear of a similar fate.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) also raised concerns, accusing successive Thai governments of succumbing to pressure from China. HRW Asia Director Elaine Pearson called on Thailand to release the detainees and allow them to resettle in a safe third country, urging the government to respect international law and avoid diplomatic fallout.

Thailand is not a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention, and its immigration policies have been criticized for failing to protect vulnerable groups. Rights advocates stress that deporting the Uyghurs would violate Thailand’s commitments under the UN Convention Against Torture and its 2022 Act on Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearances.

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