Thailand Deported 40 Uyghurs to China, Defying US Offers
The forced deportation of 40 Uyghur men from Thailand to China has ignited international condemnation. The United States revealed it had repeatedly offered to resettle the men to prevent their repatriation to a country where they face a credible threat of persecution. The clandestine operation, conducted under cover of darkness on February 27, 2025, saw the men removed from a Bangkok detention center, raising serious concerns about their safety and well-being.
These Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority, had been in Thai custody since 2014 after fleeing what human rights groups and international observers have documented as state-sponsored repression in China’s Xinjiang region. Their prolonged detention in Thailand had offered a semblance of protection from the dangers they faced in China.
The U. S. State Department confirmed its long-standing efforts to find a humane resolution, stating it had “consistently and repeatedly offered to resettle the Uyghurs in other countries, including, at times, the United States.” This directly contradicts Thai Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Russ Jalichandra, who earlier this week asserted that no serious resettlement offers had been made. Jalichandra argued that any third country accepting the Uyghurs would need to negotiate with China—a claim the State Department vehemently rejected.
The State Department emphasized the international legal obligation to protect asylum seekers from refoulement—the forcible return to a country where they face a risk of persecution—stating that this principle is “not up for negotiation with the persecutor country.” The U. S. also disclosed that several other nations had participated in resettlement discussions, though it declined to provide specifics.
Jalichandra suggested that Thailand’s decision stemmed from fear of repercussions from China, characterizing the potential impact as “huge” and “unrealistic.” This highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics and pressures faced by smaller nations navigating relations with powerful states.
The fate of Uyghurs in Xinjiang is a source of significant international concern. Credible reports, corroborated by human rights organizations and international bodies, point to mass detentions, forced labor, political indoctrination, and even forced sterilization of Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities. China denies these allegations, maintaining that its policies in Xinjiang aim to promote economic development and combat extremism.
This deportation follows a troubling precedent. In 2015, Thailand deported over 100 Uyghur men to China while releasing around 170 women and children to Turkey, sparking widespread criticism. The current situation further exacerbates concerns regarding Thailand’s adherence to international human rights conventions. Eight more Uyghurs remain in Thai custody, their fate uncertain.
Human Rights Watch and other NGOs condemned the deportations as a flagrant violation of domestic and international law, expressing deep fears that these men are now at grave risk of torture, enforced disappearance, and indefinite detention. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk echoed these concerns, urging Thailand to protect the remaining Uyghurs and calling on China to disclose the whereabouts of those deported and ensure their humane treatment.
China’s response, delivered by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian, dismissed Türk’s concerns as interference in its internal affairs and denied any wrongdoing. Jian asserted that the repatriated individuals' legal rights were fully protected and that they have returned to normal life. However, given the lack of transparency and the history of human rights abuses in Xinjiang, these assurances have been met with international skepticism.
The deportation underscores the precarious situation faced by this persecuted minority and highlights the urgent need for international pressure to ensure their safety and protect their fundamental human rights. The incident also raises critical questions about states' responsibility to uphold international law and protect vulnerable populations, even under political pressure.
