Thailand’s Controversial Deportation of Uyghurs Amid Resettlement Offers

Thailand deported 40 Uyghurs to China, despite resettlement offers from the U.S., Sweden, and Australia. Opposition MP Kannavee Suebsang revealed that the Thai government did not pursue these options, prioritizing China’s request for repatriation. Human rights advocates condemned the action, citing risks of torture for the deported individuals, spotlighting Thailand’s diplomatic balancing act between the U.S. and China.

On February 27, 2025, Thailand deported 40 Uyghurs to China, despite receiving resettlement offers from three countries, including the United States. This decision was made following Beijing’s request and assurances regarding the safety of the individuals. Rights organizations and government bodies, including the U.N. and the U.S., had previously warned that these deportations could lead to torture for the Uyghurs in China’s Xinjiang region, from which they had fled over a decade prior.

Thai opposition MP Kannavee Suebsang disclosed that his government had indeed received resettlement offers from the U.S., Sweden, and Australia. He criticized the Thai government’s claims that no countries were willing to accept the Uyghurs, stating that his knowledge resulted from discussions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During a parliamentary meeting last July, ministry officials confirmed that three countries had expressed readiness to assist with resettlement.

A spokesperson from the U.S. State Department also acknowledged past efforts to resettle the Uyghurs, highlighting ongoing collaboration with Thailand to prevent situations like deportation. However, the specifics about offers from Sweden and Australia were not confirmed due to a lack of contact from their representatives.

Kannavee emphasized that China’s request to return the Uyghurs influenced Thailand’s decision not to accept offers from other nations. He reinforced that China urged Thailand to prioritize the repatriation over possible resettlements in third countries.

Human Rights Watch’s senior researcher, Sunai Phasuk, corroborated that multiple countries had shown interest in resettling the Uyghurs but noted that Thailand did not act to solidify these offers. He described the government’s narrative as an attempt to mislead the public about the options available for the Uyghurs, implying that only official requests through formal channels would be acknowledged.

Concerns about the safety of the repatriated Uyghurs were met with denial from Chinese officials, who claimed the individuals would reunite with their families and integrate into society. This deportation drew condemnation from international bodies, with U.N. experts warning of risks of torture upon return, urging Thailand not to proceed with the deportation.

The deportation of the Uyghurs by Thailand highlights a contentious issue involving human rights and international relations. Despite receiving resettlement offers from several countries, Thailand opted to repatriate the Uyghurs to China following Beijing’s request, prompting criticism from both domestic opposition and international observers. The situation reflects the complexities surrounding Thailand’s diplomatic ties with both the United States and China, raising significant humanitarian concerns.

Original Source: www.rfa.org