Last month, the government of Thailand deported 40 out of a group of 48 Uyghurs to China, the government of which has demanded the return of at least 45 Uyghurs.
The eight others remain in Thailand’s custody but face the same risk of being forcibly returned to the control of the Chinese Communist Party (“Fate of 8 Uyghurs in Thailand in limbo after 40 deported to China,” VOA News, March 11, 2025).
The United Nations, the United States, and various rights groups have condemned Thailand’s actions. “They say [the deportation to China] violates Thailand’s international treaty obligations and, as of 2023, its own domestic law against deporting people to countries where they face a good chance of being abused or tortured.”
Five of the eight remaining in Thailand are serving time “for robbery and attempted escape from a detention center.”
“After they complete their sentence, they have to come back to the immigration detention centers. That is…worrisome, because if there [is] the push from the Chinese again, these five people might be the most vulnerable group of people that will be deported again,” Kannavee Suebsang, an opposition lawmaker and deputy chair of the House of Representatives Committee on Legal Affairs, Justice and Human Rights, told VOA.
He said their sentences are due to end in 2029.
Rights groups, though, say the five could face a forced return to China much earlier than that if they are added to the lists of prisoners pardoned by Thailand’s king on royal holidays each year….
Following the rebukes over last month’s deportations, the Thai government said Beijing had assured it that the Uyghurs would be treated well and that Bangkok could send envoys to check up on them regularly.
Rights groups and opposition lawmakers such as Kannavee, though, say they take little comfort in Beijing’s promises and still hope to persuade the Thai government to let the eight Uyghurs who remain in its custody settle elsewhere.
Of course, even if Thailand were not obligated by the relevant treaties or laws, it would be evil to consign the Uyghurs to China’s repression and probable imprisonment, torture, and/or murder. A desire to evict immigrants convicted of robbery from the country is reasonable (assuming the charges are valid). But the five in prison do not have to be deported to China.
The Thai government can’t plausibly pretend to be unaware of the Chinese government’s systematic persecution of the Uyghurs in China, even if “Beijing denies the allegations” and has given Thailand officials every assurance that it will be nice.
