Urgent Plea to Thailand: Relatives of Uyghur Detainees Fear Imminent Deportation to China

Relatives of 48 Uyghur men detained in Thailand are urgently appealing to the Thai government to prevent their deportation back to China, which they fear could occur imminently. These detainees have been held in an immigration detention center in Bangkok for more than a decade. A United Nations expert panel has recently urged Thailand to "immediately halt the possible transfer", highlighting the risk of torture and inhumane treatment the men may face upon their return to China.

Some detainees have gone on hunger strike, expressing their concerns after being asked to sign "voluntary return" documents, a request they refused. The Thai government has denied plans for deportation, while China's foreign ministry has not commented on the issue despite urging a return of the men.

The Uyghurs, having fled China due to severe repression, were part of a larger exodus between 2013 and 2014. Many initially hoped to reach Malaysia and eventually be resettled in Turkey. In 2014, Thailand arrested 220 Uyghurs amid a search for the missing MH370 flight. While about 170 women and children were later resettled to Turkey, over 100 men were forcibly returned to China, provoking international backlash.

The plight of the detained Uyghurs highlights significant human rights concerns, as reports indicate they may be at risk of persecution and severe treatment if sent back to China. Human Rights Watch emphasizes that returning these individuals would violate international law principles opposing the forced return of refugees to countries where they face danger.

With no clear prospects for relocation outside of China, family members of the detainees fear the profound ramifications of potential deportation. As Thailand builds stronger ties with China, advocates warn that the Uyghurs are being used as leverage in diplomatic negotiations, raising concerns about their safety and well-being.