In a recent statement, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra defended the deportation of 40 Uyghurs back to China, asserting that the actions adhered to human rights standards. She expressed her assurance, based on images from Chinese authorities, that “China will take good care of this group of people”, dismissing international concerns about the safety of those deported.
On February 27, Thai authorities sent these 40 Uyghurs, who were labelled as illegal immigrants, to China. The Chinese Embassy in Thailand portrayed the repatriation as a means for these individuals to reunite with their families and safeguard their legal rights. Moreover, Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, rejected claims of human rights violations, insisting that the deportation was part of China’s efforts against illegal immigration.
However, criticisms poured in from international human rights groups. Human Rights Watch condemned the actions, pressing Thailand to halt future deportations and urging for access to refugee protection for the remaining detainees. The principle of non-refoulement, which protects individuals from being sent back to a country where they may face danger, was highlighted as a crucial obligation in international law.
The response from the UN was similarly stern, with Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, condemning Thailand’s actions as serious violations of international standards, especially after repeated requests for access to the Uyghurs went unheeded. The conditions in Thai immigration detention where these individuals were held for over ten years have been described as appalling, with overcrowding and inadequate care leading to multiple fatalities.
The situation traces back to a 2014 incident, where around 220 Uyghurs were detained by Thai authorities near the Malaysian border. While some found refuge in Türkiye, many others have faced unending detention. Thailand previously faced backlash in 2015 for forcibly returning over 100 Uyghurs to China, an action that sparked outrage.
Advocacy groups such as the Campaign for Uyghurs and Amnesty International have demanded a halt to deportations and greater transparency about the legal status of Uyghur detainees. The US Congress has likewise called for Thailand to ensure safe resettlement for the Uyghurs in countries where they will not face persecution.
Thailand’s Prime Minister defends the deportation of 40 Uyghurs to China, asserting adherence to human rights norms. Critics, including Human Rights Watch and the UN, oppose the action due to fears of persecution and inhumane detention conditions. Advocacy groups urge for protection of weary detainees and re-evaluation of policies regarding refugee rights, while calls for safe resettlement in other countries grow louder.
In summary, the Thai government’s deportation of 40 Uyghurs to China has sparked an international outcry, with various human rights organisations condemning the action as a breach of fundamental human rights. Prime Minister Shinawatra’s assurances about China’s treatment of the Uyghurs have been met with scepticism, given extensive reports detailing the risks of persecution. The call for urgent protections and reassessment of Thailand’s deportation policies continues, with advocacy groups rallying for the remaining detainees.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
