U.S. Criticizes Thailand’s Deportation of Uyghurs Amid Human Rights Concerns

The United States and other countries made repeated resettlement offers for over 30 Uyghurs detained in Thailand before their deportation to China. Despite claims by Thailand’s Vice Foreign Minister that no serious offers were available, U.S. officials condemned the deportations as violations of international law, citing concerns of possible torture upon their return. The international community continues to urge Thailand to protect the remaining Uyghurs and uphold human rights obligations.

Substantial claims have emerged regarding the resettlement of over 30 Uyghurs by the United States and other nations as they faced deportation from Thailand back to China. These individuals had been in custody since 2014, escaping repression from China’s Xinjiang region. The U.S. State Department stated that efforts to resettle the Uyghurs were made repeatedly, including potentially to the United States, before their recent deportation.

Thailand’s Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Russ Jalichandra, contended that serious offers for resettlement had not been adequately made. According to him, a willingness from a third country to accept these Uyghurs should have been coupled with negotiations with China regarding their dispatch, which he deemed unrealistic.

The U.S. government criticized Thailand’s actions, asserting that they undermined the country’s obligations under the United Nations Convention Against Torture. The State Department insisted that it is inappropriate to seek the persecuting nation’s approval when ensuring the safety of individuals at risk of torture or persecution. They also acknowledged that several allied nations were involved in discussions regarding resettlement.

Concerns were raised that Thailand’s decision to return the Uyghurs stemmed from fears of backlash from Beijing. Reports indicate that China has detained over one million people within indoctrination camps, subjecting many to mistreatment linked to a campaign targeting ethnic minorities.

Since their capture in 2014 for immigration violations, the fate of these Uyghurs had become a contentious issue. A notable case in 2015 recorded the deportation of roughly 100 Uyghur men back to China, causing widespread outcry.

Most recently, those Uyghurs detained were covertly transported at dawn and dispatched to Xinjiang. While several remain detained, others’ safety is once again at risk, as highlighted by NGOs denouncing the deportations as violations of both domestic and international law.

Furthermore, the United Nations has also raised alarms regarding the adherence of Thai authorities to international human rights guidelines. The U.N. human rights chief has voiced calls for Thailand to protect the remaining Uyghurs and urged China to clarify their situation and adhere to human rights standards. In contrast, the Chinese government refuted these allegations, asserting that they uphold the legal rights of their citizens.

The situation surrounding the deportation of the Uyghurs from Thailand to China underscores significant international human rights concerns. Repeated offers for their resettlement were allegedly ignored, culminating in actions condemned by various human rights organizations and the U.S. government. The deportees are now at risk of severe mistreatment upon their return, emphasizing the urgent need for adherence to international legal standards regarding asylum and human rights protection.

Original Source: www.usnews.com