Fri Feb 28 06:46:37 UTC 2025: ## Thailand Deports Dozens of Uyghur Men to China Amid International Condemnation
**Bangkok, Thailand –** At least 40 Uyghur men, detained in Thailand for over a decade, have been forcibly deported to China, sparking widespread international condemnation. The deportation, confirmed by Thai and Chinese officials on February 27th, 2025, occurred despite pleas from the men themselves, who feared imprisonment and death upon return.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, called the deportation a “clear violation of international human rights laws,” urging Chinese authorities to disclose the men’s whereabouts and ensure their humane treatment. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio strongly condemned Thailand’s action, highlighting the risk of persecution, forced labor, and torture faced by Uyghurs in China. He noted the action contradicts Thailand’s commitment to human rights and its tradition of protecting vulnerable populations.
Thai officials claimed the men voluntarily returned after being shown a Chinese agreement guaranteeing their safety. However, this assertion is disputed by Thai lawmakers, activists, and lawyers who raised alarms before the midnight deportation. Eyewitnesses reported trucks carrying the men, under heavy security, leaving the Bangkok Immigration Detention Center.
While Chinese authorities acknowledged the deportation of 40 Chinese nationals who entered Thailand illegally, 43 Uyghur men were initially held. Five remained in Thailand due to prior escape attempts. The discrepancy in numbers remains unexplained. Videos and photos released by Thai officials purportedly showed the men arriving in Xinjiang, appearing calm and undergoing health checks.
This is not the first time Thailand has deported Uyghurs to China. A 2015 deportation of 109 Uyghurs provoked international outrage. The current situation highlights Thailand’s complex diplomatic position between its major trading partner, China, and traditional military ally, the US. The Uyghurs’ prolonged detention and the secrecy surrounding the deportation process have raised significant human rights concerns globally.
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