A group of UN experts has urged the Thai government not to deport Uyghur detainees to China, warning that they are at risk of persecution there.
The experts of the UN Human Rights Council made the call in a statement on Tuesday.
Because of alleged intensified crackdowns by Chinese authorities, some ethnic minority Uyghurs attempted to flee from China to Turkey via Southeast Asia. In 2014, more than 300 Uyghurs were detained in Thailand for irregularly entering the country.
The next year, about half of them were allowed to leave for Turkey. But Thailand deported about 100 to China against their will.
A total of 48 Uyghurs are still detained in Thailand. The Associated Press news agency says they were asked to sign voluntary deportation papers by Thai immigration officials.
The UN experts said the Uyghurs have allegedly been detained with no access to lawyers or family members for over a decade. The experts say they have been informed that some of the detainees suffer serious health conditions.
The experts urged the Thai government to provide the detainees with access to asylum procedures and other humanitarian assistance, including medical support.
The experts of the UN Human Rights Council made the call in a statement on Tuesday.
Because of alleged intensified crackdowns by Chinese authorities, some ethnic minority Uyghurs attempted to flee from China to Turkey via Southeast Asia. In 2014, more than 300 Uyghurs were detained in Thailand for irregularly entering the country.
The next year, about half of them were allowed to leave for Turkey. But Thailand deported about 100 to China against their will.
A total of 48 Uyghurs are still detained in Thailand. The Associated Press news agency says they were asked to sign voluntary deportation papers by Thai immigration officials.
The UN experts said the Uyghurs have allegedly been detained with no access to lawyers or family members for over a decade. The experts say they have been informed that some of the detainees suffer serious health conditions.
The experts urged the Thai government to provide the detainees with access to asylum procedures and other humanitarian assistance, including medical support.
Similar Readings (5 items)
Thai delegation visits deported Uyghurs
Japan, US embassies in Bangkok raise alert after Uyghurs deported
Freed Indonesians from Myanmar scam centers start journey home
Rohingya stuck in Bangladesh for five years
300 Thais evacuated from Myanmar
Summary
UN Human Rights Council experts advise Thailand against deporting Uyghur detainees to China due to potential persecution. A group of over 300 ethnic minority Uyghurs were detained in Thailand in 2014, with about 100 later forcibly sent back to China. Currently, 48 Uyghurs remain detained and have
Statistics
190
Words1
Read CountDetails
ID: ce054a8c-3d5c-4407-947f-ec6d2a9533dc
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20250122_23/
Date: Jan. 22, 2025
Created: 2025/01/23 07:00
Updated: 2025/12/08 06:56
Last Read: 2025/01/23 07:51