The U.S. State Department announced it and other nations made numerous resettlement offers for Uyghurs in Thailand, who were ultimately deported back to China. Thailand’s actions were criticized as violations of human rights, with fears for the deported men’s safety. The situation reflects a complex intersection of asylum rights and international relations concerning China.
The U.S. State Department revealed that multiple countries, including the United States, made numerous resettlement offers for over three dozen Uyghur men before their deportation from Thailand to China. These men had been in custody in Thailand since 2014, having fled state persecution from China’s Xinjiang region. Despite these efforts, on February 27, they were forcibly sent back to China under the cover of darkness from a Bangkok detention center.
Thailand’s Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Russ Jalichandra, stated that no serious offers had been made for the men’s resettlement, suggesting any commitment from a third country would necessitate negotiations with China. The State Department criticized Thailand’s decision, citing a breach of the United Nations Convention Against Torture, emphasizing that the right to asylum and protection from persecution does not require Beijing’s consent.
The U.S. condemned the deportation, asserting that Thailand violated its obligations to international law regarding the treatment of individuals susceptible to persecution. It mentioned a number of allies have been involved in resettlement discussions but didn’t divulge further specifics. Jalichandra hypothesized that Thailand’s fear of Chinese retaliation influenced its decision.
Human rights organizations report that China has detained over one million individuals, including Uyghurs, in indoctrination camps, subjecting them to inhuman treatment like torture and forced servitude, as part of an assimilation effort against their distinct ethnic culture. Despite these allegations, China defends its Xinjiang policies as necessary for economic and social stability.
In the past, more than 200 Uyghurs were arrested by Thai authorities in 2014, with subsequent deportations drawing international criticism. On February 27, most men were transported to Xinjiang, while eight remain in Thailand, their situation unclear. Human rights groups and the UN have condemned the deportations, predicting severe risks for the repatriated individuals in China.
The UN’s human rights chief called on Thailand to protect the remaining Uyghurs from similar deportations, while China’s Foreign Ministry rejected the criticisms, reaffirming its commitment to its citizens’ rights and asserting that the rights of the deported individuals were upheld.
In response to international discourse, the Chinese government reiterated its stance on sovereignty, calling for non-interference in its internal matters, asserting that the repatriated individuals are now protected under Chinese law.
AP Writer Jintamas Saksornchai contributed to this story.
The U.S. State Department’s concerns regarding the deportation of Uyghur men from Thailand underscore serious human rights issues linked to these individuals. Multiple offers for resettlement were ignored, leading to allegations of torture and persecution awaiting the deportees in China. The ongoing international dialogue highlights the tension between asylum rights and national sovereignty, particularly in the context of China’s harsh policies in Xinjiang.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
