Uighurs in Thailand Launch Hunger Strike Against Deportation to China

Amid fears of imminent deportation, a group of Uyghurs detained in Thailand are facing dire living conditions at the Immigration Detention Centre in Bangkok. These detainees include a Uyghur woman, known as Niluper, who has not seen her husband for nearly a decade since their family fled repression in Xinjiang, China. Her husband is one of 48 Uyghur men currently held in Thailand, where authorities have reportedly attempted to secure their consent for repatriation to China.
Human rights organizations have expressed alarm, recalling the Thai government’s controversial deportation of 109 Uyghurs in 2015, which resulted in widespread protests and questions about their safety upon return to China. Many believe deportation could lead to imprisonment or harsher penalties for the detainees, who have already endured significant suffering during their time in custody.
Conditions in the detention center have been described as "hell on earth," with overcrowding, unsanitary environments, and inadequate medical care being cited as primary concerns. Rights groups report that detainees receive minimal food and are often isolated from each other and from outside contact.
The UN and foreign governments face mounting pressure to intervene, although Thailand has not indicated any immediate plans for deportation. Nonetheless, the fate of the Uyghurs appears to be influenced heavily by Thailand's diplomatic ties with China.
The situation continues to draw international attention as advocates call for the protection of Uyghur families and their rights to seek asylum, urging the Thai government to allow them the opportunity to reunite with their loved ones in Turkey.