Thailand has deported 48 Uighurs to China, drawing international condemnation due to concerns for their safety upon return. The UN and various activist organizations argue that these actions risk subjecting the individuals to torture and persecution. The Thai government has acknowledged the deportation amid assurances from China regarding the welfare of the Uighurs.

The Thai government has recently deported 48 Uighurs to China, despite international outcry regarding potential human rights violations. Activists and human rights organizations have expressed concerns about the deportees facing risks of torture and persecution, should they be returned to China’s Xinjiang region. Thailand’s Defence Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, confirmed the deportation, asserting that China assured the safety of those repatriated.

On Thursday, media reports captured images of several trucks leaving a Bangkok immigration center where the Uighurs had been detained. Subsequently, a China Southern Airlines flight departed from Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport, arriving in Kashgar, Xinjiang after approximately six hours of travel. Rights groups have long condemned China’s treatment of Uighurs, alleging that millions face persecution and mass detention in the region, a claim that the Chinese government vehemently denies.

Prior to the deportation, United Nations rights experts had urged the Thai government to reconsider its actions, citing grave concerns over the safety of the Uighurs involved. The 48 deportees were part of a larger group of 300 who fled China in 2014, some of whom were previously returned to China or sent to Turkiye. Tragically, at least two individuals died while in Thai custody.

In a statement, the Ministry of Public Security in China confirmed that the deportation involved 40 individuals described as illegal migrants, conducted in accordance with international law. However, when questioned specifically about the Uighurs, Beijing’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized only that the deportees were Chinese nationals. This repatriation was framed as part of broader cooperation between Thailand and China in combating cross-border crime.

Thailand’s Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, refrained from confirming the reports, highlighting the necessity for adherence to international laws and principles involving human rights. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees condemned the deportation, expressing deep regret and deeming it a clear violation of the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to countries where they may face harm.

In response, the Cross Cultural Foundation, a Thai human rights organization, announced intentions to file a petition seeking an inquiry into the deportation, aiming to compel officials to clarify the status and whereabouts of the Uighurs and ensure their rights are preserved.

In summary, Thailand’s decision to deport 48 Uighurs to China has raised significant human rights concerns amidst warnings from international organizations about potential torture and persecution. Despite assurances from China regarding the safety of the deported individuals, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and Thai rights groups have denounced the actions as violations of international law. The situation continues to evolve, with potential legal actions being pursued in Thailand to address these pressing human rights issues.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com

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