Vice Foreign Minister Ras Chaleechan stated that no foreign governments requested to accept Uyghurs detained in Thailand for 11 years before their repatriation to China. He responded to criticisms that the Thai government ignored offers to resettle the Uyghurs elsewhere. The recent repatriation has led to strong international condemnations over potential persecution fears.
Thailand’s Vice Foreign Minister, Ras Chaleechan, has asserted that no foreign governments have ever formally requested to accept Uyghurs detained in Thailand for 11 years prior to their repatriation to China. This assertion came in response to allegations from opposition leaders and human rights activists, who claimed that there had been intentions from other countries to accept the detained Uyghurs as refugees. Critics accused the Thai government of neglecting these requests, likely due to concerns over China’s reaction.
Ras clarified on his Facebook page, “Regarding the comment by someone that a third country wanted to take in all the remaining Uyghurs, I hereby affirm that no such country exists.” He emphasized that no formal foreign requests had been submitted through the Thai Foreign Ministry to consider the Uyghurs for resettlement. Previously, Turkey had expressed interest in receiving some Uyghurs, but that request was made over a decade ago.
The Thai government recently repatriated 40 Uyghurs to China, prompting responses from global organizations such as UNHCR and various Western countries, including the U.S. and U.K., that fear these individuals may face persecution in China. Ras acknowledged that only the Chinese government had made requests concerning the Uyghurs, indicating a lack of interest from third-party nations to accept them.
In conclusion, Vice Foreign Minister Ras Chaleechan emphasized that no other nation aside from China has shown interest in accepting Uyghurs detained in Thailand. The repatriation of these Uyghurs has raised significant international concerns regarding human rights and the possibility of persecution upon their return to China. The lack of formal requests from third countries highlights the geopolitical complexities involved in refugee resettlement.
Original Source: www.nationthailand.com
