Bangkok, Thailand – Thailand’s covert deportation of dozens of Uyghurs to China has ignited international condemnation, marking a diplomatic victory for Beijing while drawing criticism from the United States and the United Nations. The deported men had fled China in 2014, only to spend a decade in Thai detention before their forced repatriation.
The U.S., which has labeled China’s treatment of Uyghurs as “genocide,” has long cautioned that deported Uyghurs would face persecution, forced labor, and torture upon their return. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has been a vocal advocate for Uyghur rights, denounced the deportations, urging governments to refrain from returning Uyghurs to China, where they face grave human rights violations.
In the early hours of Thursday, Thai authorities reportedly transported 40 Uyghur men to an airport in Bangkok, where they were placed on a flight to China following Beijing’s official request. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk criticized the move, arguing that Thailand had violated international agreements prohibiting the return of individuals to places where they might face torture or ill-treatment. He expressed deep regret over the deportation, emphasizing that his office had repeatedly urged Thailand to uphold its obligations.
China has consistently denied allegations of human rights abuses in Xinjiang, dismissing accusations of genocide and forced labor as fabricated lies. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson condemned “certain countries and international organizations” for politicizing the issue. Meanwhile, Chinese state media confirmed the deportation of 40 “Chinese nationals” from Thailand without specifying their ethnicity.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra initially declined to confirm the deportations but later admitted she had been aware, citing protocol and national security concerns. She revealed that discussions with Chinese officials regarding the Uyghurs’ return had taken place in February, with Beijing providing assurances of their safety.
Thailand’s decision reflects its longstanding ties with China. As a key participant in China’s Belt and Road Initiative and a country heavily reliant on Chinese tourism, Thailand has historically aligned with Beijing’s policies. The kingdom also lacks asylum laws, having previously deported over 100 Uyghurs to China in 2015, whose fates remain unknown.
Human rights organizations have decried the treatment of the deported men, who were among 350 Uyghurs detained in Thailand, including minors. Reports indicate that five Uyghur detainees, including a newborn and a three-year-old, have died in custody over the years due to inhumane conditions and lack of access to legal or humanitarian assistance.
In January, detained Uyghurs penned a desperate letter to the international community, pleading for intervention to prevent their forced return. Despite global advocacy efforts, their appeals were disregarded, sealing what activists have described as a “tragic fate.”
Following the deportation, Rubio called on Beijing to allow independent verification of the Uyghurs’ well-being. However, given China’s track record, human rights advocates remain deeply skeptical about the fate awaiting the deported men.
