In the early hours of 27 February 2025, Thai authorities forcibly repatriated at least 40 Uyghur asylum seekers to China, exposing them to grave human rights abuses, including arbitrary detention and torture. These individuals had fled persecution from China’s Xinjiang region, enduring over a decade of arbitrary detention in Thailand’s immigration facilities, where conditions are dire at best.
FIDH Secretary General Guissou Jahangiri stated that after more than ten years of detaining the Uyghurs under deplorable conditions, the Thai government’s action constitutes an additional affront. It is imperative for the Thai authorities to cease actions contrary to international law concerning refugees and asylum seekers.
The deportation contravenes the non-derogable international principle of non-refoulement, which protects individuals from being returned to places where they face serious threats to their safety. Thailand, a signatory to the Convention Against Torture, is called upon to respect these binding commitments.
Article 13 of Thailand’s Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act, effective since 22 February 2023, specifically forbids deportation to nations where individuals risk torture or inhumane treatment. The UN Committee Against Torture has expressed concerns regarding the enforcement of this law, urging comprehensive safeguards for those at risk of deportation.
Moreover, Thailand has a troubling history of forcibly returning refugees; notably, they deported 109 Uyghur men to China at the Chinese government’s behest in July 2015. Reports reveal that conditions within Thailand’s immigration detention centres are harsh—evidence suggests that at least five Uyghur detainees died between 2014 and 2024 due to lack of medical care.
FIDH, TLHR, and UCL implore the Thai government to extend protection to refugees and asylum seekers without discrimination, also urging it to ratify the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol. Such steps are crucial for providing these vulnerable populations with legal recognition and necessary protection.
On 27 February 2025, Thailand forcibly returned 40 Uyghur asylum seekers to China, risking their safety amidst ongoing human rights abuses. This action breaches international law against refoulement and reflects the Thai government’s concerning track record of deportations. Calls from various organisations urge Thailand to comply with international obligations and protect refugees within its borders.
The forced return of Uyghur asylum seekers by Thai authorities starkly highlights the dangers faced by refugees in the region. Ignoring international laws and principles endangers lives, underscoring the urgent need for Thailand to protect the rights and safety of refugees through legislative compliance and humane treatment. This situation calls for a renewed commitment to uphold human rights standards.
Original Source: www.fidh.org
