UN Criticizes Thailand’s Deportation of Uyghurs to China
The UN condemned Thailand for deporting 40 Uyghurs to China, calling it a violation of international law and the principle of non-refoulement. The UN urges Thailand to cease further deportations and protect remaining Uyghurs. Additionally, there is a call for transparency from Chinese authorities regarding the deported individuals’ treatment and whereabouts.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) condemned Thailand’s recent deportation of 40 Uyghurs to China, labeling it a grave breach of international law and the fundamental principle of non-refoulement. Voicing concerns, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, stated that the forced repatriation of these individuals, who had been detained in Thailand for over 11 years, was alarming.
Mr. Türk emphasized that such actions are against the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to countries where they may experience torture, mistreatment, or other severe harm. This principle is outlined in Article 3 of the Convention against Torture, Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Further, it is reinforced by Article 13 of Thailand’s Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act and Article 16 of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration.
The deported individuals were part of a group of Uyghurs detained in Thailand since March 2014 while attempting to migrate from China to Türkiye. They endured poor conditions in immigration detention centers for over a decade, resulting in the death of five members while eight others continue to remain in custody in Thailand.
The UN human rights chief called on Thailand’s government to cease any further deportations and ensure the protection of the remaining Uyghurs in detention. Mr. Türk stated, “The Thai authorities must ensure there are no further deportations and the remaining members of the group, including potential refugees and asylum-seekers… are fully protected in accordance with their obligations under international law.”
The UNHCR has also denounced this forced deportation, noting its repeated attempts to gain access to the detained Uyghurs and secure guarantees against their return—requests that have been consistently denied. Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection added, “UNHCR calls on the Royal Thai Government to put an end to the forced return of individuals from Thailand.”
Additionally, High Commissioner Türk urged Chinese authorities to disclose the whereabouts of the deported Uyghurs, insisting on their treatment in compliance with international human rights standards. He asserted, “It is now important for the Chinese authorities to disclose their whereabouts, and to ensure that they are treated in accordance with international human rights standards.”
In summary, the UN’s condemnation of Thailand’s deportation of Uyghurs underscores significant violations of international law and humanitarian principles, particularly the principle of non-refoulement. The ongoing plight of detained Uyghurs calls for immediate action from the Thai government to protect their rights. Emphasis on transparency from Chinese authorities regarding the treatment and location of deported individuals is equally crucial to uphold human rights standards.
Original Source: news.az
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