The Thai government has sent a delegation to the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region amid its deportation of dozens of Uyghurs to China, which has drawn international criticism over human rights concerns.



The delegation, including Thailand's defense minister and justice minister, arrived in the region on Wednesday, and met some of the Uyghurs and their families. The delegation says it confirmed their well-being.
Thailand appears to be trying to justify its repatriation by emphasizing the Uyghurs' safety. Bangkok has said Beijing gave assurances they would not be mistreated.



International advocacy group Human Rights Watch has criticized the move, saying the delegation should not take part in Chinese government choreography and image laundering.
Thailand has already faced fierce backlash from the international community. The EU parliament last week adopted a resolution condemning the deportation and urging Thailand to halt any further forced returns to countries where people's lives are at risk.



US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington will impose visa restrictions on some of the current and former Thai officials who are responsible for the deportation.