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Thailand Urged Not to Deport 48 Uyghurs on Hunger Strike Facing Persecution in China

Jan 19, 2025, 02:48 PM

Thailand is facing international pressure not to deport 48 Uyghur men who have been detained in the country for over a decade. These men, who fled persecution in China, are at risk of enforced disappearance, long-term imprisonment, torture, and other severe mistreatment if returned to China, according to Human Rights Watch. The Uyghurs have initiated a hunger strike to protest against their potential deportation, which they believe is imminent following recent actions by Thai immigration officials. The Thai government has been urged to release the Uyghurs and allow them to travel to a safe third country, as their continued detention and the threat of deportation violate international law, specifically the principle of non-refoulement. The situation has drawn attention from human rights organizations and international figures, who are calling for urgent intervention to prevent the forced return of the 48 Uyghurs to China.