UN Agencies Condemn Thailand for Deporting Uyghurs to China
UN agencies have condemned Thailand for deporting 40 Uyghurs to China, labeling it a violation of international law and the principle of non-refoulement. UN authorities expressed concern for the deportees’ safety, citing risks of torture and inhumane treatment. They urged Thailand to prevent further deportations and protect remaining detainees, while also calling on China to disclose the deported individuals’ whereabouts.
UN agencies, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), have condemned Thailand’s recent deportation of 40 Uyghurs to China. This action has been characterized as a significant breach of international law and the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to countries where they face the risk of persecution or torture.
Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed deep concern regarding the deportation of these Uyghurs, who had been held in Thailand for more than a decade. He stated, “This violates the principle of non-refoulement for which there is a complete prohibition in cases where there is a real risk of torture, ill-treatment, or other irreparable harm upon their return.”
The principle of non-refoulement is enshrined in Article 3 of the Convention against Torture, and it appears in various human rights treaties, including Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In Thailand, this right is also upheld by the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act, as well as the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration.
The deported individuals were part of a larger group of Uyghurs apprehended in March 2014 after fleeing China. These men endured over a decade of detention under poor conditions in immigration facilities, with reports indicating that five members died in custody and eight others remain incarcerated in Thailand.
High Commissioner Türk has urged the Thai government to prevent any further deportations and to safeguard the remaining Uyghurs in detention. He stated, “The Thai authorities must ensure there are no further deportations and the remaining members of the group, including potential refugees and asylum-seekers, being held in Thailand are fully protected in accordance with their obligations under international law.”
The UNHCR has consistently criticized the forced deportations and has sought access to the detained Uyghurs. Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, highlighted that the forced return is a clear violation of the non-refoulement principle and Thailand’s obligations under international law, affirming, “UNHCR calls on the Royal Thai Government to put an end to the forced return of individuals from Thailand.”
Furthermore, High Commissioner Türk emphasized the need for transparency from Chinese authorities concerning the whereabouts of the deported Uyghurs. He stated, “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.”
The United Nations has firmly condemned Thailand’s deportation of Uyghurs to China as a violation of international law and non-refoulement principles. High-ranking officials have called for an immediate halt to further deportations and emphasized the need for humane treatment of those still in custody. There remains a pressing need for clarity on the fate of the deported individuals, particularly from Chinese authorities.
Original Source: news.un.org
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