The U.S. and other countries offered to resettle over 30 Uyghur men detained in Thailand before their deportation to China, raising fears over potential abuse. Thailand’s officials claimed there were no serious offers from third nations. The U.S. condemned the deportations as a violation of international law, while NGOs warned of severe risks faced by the men upon return.
The United States has asserted that it and other nations made multiple offers to Thailand for the resettlement of over thirty Uyghur men prior to their recent deportation to China. These individuals had been detained in Thailand since 2014 after escaping state repression in China’s Xinjiang region. Last week, they were secretly removed from a Bangkok detention facility under cover of night, raising concerns for their welfare once returned to China.
The U.S. State Department emphasized its long-standing efforts to assist in resettling the Uyghurs, stating it had repeatedly proposed allowing them to come to the United States along with offers from other countries. In contrast, Thailand’s Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Russ Jalichandra, claimed there were no serious resettlement proposals, suggesting that countries committed to housing the Uyghurs should have engaged in negotiations with China.
The State Department condemned Thailand’s actions as a breach of its commitments under the United Nations Convention Against Torture. It asserted that the duty to protect individuals threatened by persecution was not subject to negotiations with the country of repression. Furthermore, the U.S. highlighted the involvement of numerous allies in attempts to address the situation but refrained from disclosing specific details.
Tensions regarding the deportations were mentioned by Jalichandra, who indicated fears that China could retaliate against Thailand for allowing the Uyghurs asylum in another nation. He deemed it unrealistic for Thailand to send the men to a third country without incurring severe consequences from China.
Reports indicate that more than one million people, including Uyghurs, are currently imprisoned in China within indoctrination camps, experiencing severe human rights violations. Allegations include torture, sterilization, and forced labor, part of a systematic campaign aimed at assimilating ethnic minorities in Xinjiang.
Since 2014, over 200 Uyghurs have faced apprehension in Thailand due to immigration violations, with past deportations prompting significant international criticism. Recently, a group of men was covertly transported from Thailand back to China, and their current status remains uncertain, as eight are still believed to be in Thailand.
Human Rights Watch and other NGOs condemned the deportations, warning that the repatriated men are at significant risk of severe abuses by the Chinese government. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk criticized Thailand for its actions, emphasizing the need to protect remaining Uyghurs from similar fates and requesting China to provide information about those deported.
In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian stated that the comments from Türk were unwarranted interference in China’s legal processes and maintained that the rights of repatriated individuals were respected, affirming their reintegration into society in accordance with Chinese law.
In summary, the deportation of Uyghur men from Thailand to China has raised significant international concerns regarding human rights and the treatment of these individuals upon their return. The U.S. criticized Thailand’s decision, emphasizing its consistent offers to resettle the Uyghurs in other nations. While Thailand’s officials suggested a lack of genuine offers from third nations, human rights organizations and UN representatives condemned the actions as violations of international laws. Continued scrutiny and calls for accountability regarding the treatment of the Uyghurs persist, reflecting the ongoing global concern over human rights abuses in China.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
