Thailand’s Acknowledgment of Resettlement Offers for Detained Uyghurs

Thailand’s vice foreign minister revealed that other countries had offered to resettle 40 Uyghurs prior to their deportation to China. He termed these offers “unrealistic,” prioritizing Thailand’s relationship with China. The deportation occurred despite warnings of possible abuse for the Uyghurs upon their return. Notably, some Western nations had expressed willingness to accept the Uyghurs, raising concerns about the Thai government’s previous claims of a lack of support for the detainees.

On March 6, 2025, Thailand’s Vice Foreign Minister, Russ Jalichandra, publicly acknowledged that the nation received resettlement offers for 40 detained Uyghurs from other countries prior to their deportation to China. This statement marks a significant reversal from previous assertions made by Thai officials, suggesting reluctance to accept such proposals. Jalichandra deemed these offers as “unrealistic,” raising concerns about potential “retaliation from China” that could adversely affect the Thai populace’s livelihoods.

Russ clarified that the best option was to return the Uyghurs to China, although he refrained from naming the countries that made offers, stating it was to avoid impacting relations with these nations. The repatriation of the Uyghurs occurred on February 27, despite warnings from the United States, the U.N., and human rights organizations regarding the risk of torture upon their return to Xinjiang. Thailand had justified the deportation as a voluntary repatriation based on assurances from China regarding the safety of the Uyghurs.

Furthermore, opposition MP Kannavee Suebsang revealed that countries like the U.S., Sweden, and Australia had expressed willingness to accept the Uyghurs for resettlement. He criticized the Thai government for misleading the public about the lack of international support for the Uyghurs’ resettlement. A representative from the U.S. State Department confirmed past offers to assist in resettlement, further emphasizing the long-standing efforts to avoid such a situation.

In the context of broader human rights issues, Uyghurs in China have faced severe abuses. Following the deportation, China assured the safety of the returned individuals, claiming they would reunite with their families. Advocacy groups such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned Thailand’s actions, alleging that the 40 Uyghurs were handed over to those responsible for their oppression.

The silence from Muslim-majority countries regarding the deportation sparked criticism from leaders such as Abdulhakim Idris of the Uyghur Research Center. He noted that nations like Indonesia and Malaysia, which are part of ASEAN, had not publicly addressed the deportation, highlighting a perceived fear of China’s influence in the region. Idris emphasized the hypocrisy in the lack of response from global Muslim communities when faced with severe injustices against their fellow Muslims, contrasting it with their regular outcry over lesser incidents involving Muslim sentiments.

The acknowledgment by Thailand’s vice foreign minister regarding international offers to resettle the Uyghurs presents a notable shift in the government’s narrative. Despite external offers and concerns regarding their safety, Thailand chose to deport the Uyghurs back to China under the pretext of voluntary repatriation, reflecting the complexities of geopolitical influence. The silence of many Muslim-majority nations in the aftermath raises questions about their stance on human rights and the impact of Chinese diplomatic relations.

Original Source: www.benarnews.org