The OMCT has raised concerns over Thailand’s deportation of 40 Uyghurs, questioning its compliance with international non-refoulement obligations. These Uyghurs had fled persecution in China and faced long-term detention without rights. UN experts warned of severe risks following a planned deportation. OMCT urges Thailand to stop forced returns and provide necessary medical care to detainees.
The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) expressed significant alarm regarding the forced deportation of at least 40 Uyghurs from Thailand to China, as reported on February 27, 2025. This action brings serious doubts about Thailand’s compliance with its obligations under international law, specifically the principle of non-refoulement that prevents returning individuals to nations where they might face torture or cruel treatment.
These Uyghurs form part of a larger group of around 350 individuals who fled persecution in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and were detained by Thai authorities in March 2014. Many of them have reportedly been held in incommunicado detention without access to legal help or family visits, raising serious human rights concerns.
Thailand had faced international condemnation for forcibly returning 109 Uyghurs to China in 2015, given the documented risks of human rights violations they would encounter upon their return. Reports indicate that China’s actions towards Uyghurs include widespread violations such as arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and torture practices, which have been recognized globally as potentially amounting to crimes against humanity.
UN experts issued a warning in January 2025 regarding the imminent deportation of 48 Uyghur detainees, stressing the dangers they would likely face if returned to China. The health status of these detainees raised additional concerns, with several suffering from severe medical conditions, which could be exacerbated by a forced return to China, in conflict with Thailand’s international obligations.
As a new member of the UN Human Rights Council, Thailand is urged to meet high human rights standards. OMCT calls for clarity regarding the deported Uyghurs’ status and emphasizes the need to cease all forced returns to China, ensuring compliance with non-refoulement principles. Additionally, Thailand must provide independent medical care for Uyghur detainees to meet international standards.
In summary, the forced deportation of Uyghurs from Thailand to China has raised significant human rights concerns, particularly regarding adherence to the principle of non-refoulement. The situation highlights the urgent need for Thailand to comply with its international obligations, ensure the safety of Uyghurs, and uphold the standards expected by the international community. There is also a call for Thailand to provide access for independent monitors to assess the conditions of remaining detainees.
Original Source: www.omct.org
