The latest distress call on social media has increased concerns about the imminent deportation of 43 Uyghur men from Thailand to China. Uyghur NGOs in different countries around the world have consistently expressed their concerns that these individuals face the threat of inhumane torture upon return and are calling for their acceptance into safe countries.
A delegation from the International East Turkistan NGO Union held an important meeting today with Thailand's Ambassador to Ankara. The main agenda item was to convey concerns about allegations of the extradition of 48 Uyghurs who have been detained in Thailand for 12 years to China and to request clear clarification on the matter.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THAI GOVERNMENT
While the Uyghur delegation conveyed the East Turkistan diaspora's deep concerns and distress on this issue to the Thai Ambassador, the Thai government's official statement was presented to the delegation by the Ambassador. The statement clearly expressed that the Thai government has no decision or intention to extradite the detained Uyghurs to China.
The statement also emphasized that the Thai government shared some important detailed points regarding the issue and would respond to the delegation's requests shortly. It was reported that the meeting was productive and established important communication between the parties. Regarding allegations of extraditing detained Uyghurs to China, it was stated that there is no decision or intention to extradite the 48 Uyghurs detained in their country to China.
While global media channels are already headlining the issue, activists, family members, Uyghurs living in different parts of the world, and NGOs are calling for intervention to prevent this potential human rights violation and for the immediate release of the detained Uyghurs.
In a letter obtained by Associated Press, Uyghurs detained in Bangkok are making a public appeal to stop what they say is their imminent deportation. These individuals, first detained in 2014, have endured harsh conditions in Thai detention facilities and fear for their safety if returned to China.
The potential deportation coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Thai-Chinese relations has increased international attention. While Thai officials insist they care about the detainees, human rights experts argue that returning Uyghurs would violate international non-refoulement laws that protect individuals from being returned to countries where they face serious threats.