By Uyghur Times Staff
February 29, 2025
A group of at least 40 Uyghur men, who had been detained in Thailand for over a decade, were forcibly deported to China, Thai and Chinese officials confirmed on Thursday. The men, fearing imprisonment or even death, had made a public appeal last month to halt their deportation.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio strongly condemned Thailand’s decision, warning that the Uyghurs face persecution, forced labor, and torture in China. He emphasized that the deportation violates international human rights agreements and contradicts Thailand’s historical commitment to protecting vulnerable groups.
Despite international pressure, Thai authorities proceeded with the deportation, claiming that China had assured them the men would not face penalties and would be allowed to live normally. However, human rights organizations and the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, denounced the move as a blatant violation of international law, urging China to disclose the men’s whereabouts and ensure their safety.
This latest deportation marks another blow to Uyghur asylum seekers, raising serious concerns about the global community’s ability to protect those fleeing China’s repression.
