Thailand’s Vice Foreign Minister acknowledged offers from other nations to resettle detained Uyghurs, rejecting them as unrealistic. The deportation of the Uyghurs to China contradicted prior claims of a lack of willing nations. Criticism ensued regarding the silence of Muslim countries on the issue, pointing to China’s influence as a deterrent to vocal opposition.
On March 6, Thailand’s Vice Foreign Minister Russ Jalichandra reversed earlier comments by acknowledging that several countries had offered to resettle 40 detained Uyghurs before their deportation to China last week. However, he claimed these proposals were deemed “unrealistic” due to potential economic retaliation from China. Jalichandra emphasized that the repatriation to China was considered the “best option” without naming the countries that extended their offers for resettlement.
On February 27, Thailand repatriated the Uyghurs to China, disregarding warnings from the United States, the United Nations, and human rights organizations regarding the risk of torture upon return to Xinjiang. Thailand had cited a formal request from Beijing and assurances of safety as the basis for their actions. Opposition member of parliament Kannavee Suebsang revealed that nations such as the United States, Sweden, and Australia were willing to accept the Uyghurs, countering the Thai government’s claims of no willing countries.
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department confirmed the existence of previous offers to resettle the Uyghurs, stating, “We have worked with Thailand for years to avoid this situation.” Uyghurs in China’s Xinjiang region have faced severe human rights abuses, which Beijing denies, asserting that the deported men would be reunited with their families.
Criticism arose from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), describing the deportation as handing the Uyghurs over to their oppressors. CAIR’s Deputy Director remarked on the silence of Muslim governments regarding this issue and encouraged those with the ability to speak out against the oppression of Uyghur Muslims. Similarly, Abdulhakim Idris from the Uyghur Research Center commented on the lack of response from Muslim-majority countries, attributing their silence to fear of displeasing China, a significant economic player in the region.
As of yet, there has been no statement from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Thailand’s actions, highlighting a broader issue of Muslim solidarity when faced with the complexities of geopolitical influences.
In summary, Thailand’s recent actions regarding the deportation of Uyghurs reveal a complex interplay of international relations, particularly in regards to China. The acknowledgment of resettlement offers from various countries contrasts sharply with the Thai government’s previous stance. The situation raises critical questions about the responsibilities of nations towards human rights and the pressures exerted by influential states. There remains a notable lack of public response from Muslim-majority countries, underscoring the delicate balance they must navigate in their diplomatic relations.
Original Source: www.benarnews.org
