Thailand Faces Global Outrage: Will 48 Uyghur Detainees Be Sentenced to Death in China?
London / By Tsering Passang
Human rights organisations and the UK-based Uyghur community gathered outside the Embassy of Thailand in London on the evening of 17 January for a Global Day of Action. The protest called for the immediate release and resettlement of 48 Uyghur detainees who have been held in Thai Immigration Detention Centres since 2014.
These detainees, subjected to nearly a decade of inhumane treatment, now face the grave threat of deportation to China, where they risk torture, persecution, and potentially genocide. The demonstration, held from 6 pm to 7 pm, highlighted the pressing moral and legal obligation for Thailand to adhere to its international human rights commitments.
Background: The Persecution of Uyghurs
China has been widely condemned for its systemic persecution of Uyghur Muslims and other ethnic minorities in East Turkistan, officially referred to as the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Allegations include mass detentions in so-called "re-education camps," forced labour, cultural erasure, and genocide. Since 2017, over one million Uyghurs are believed to have been detained, prompting global outrage and sanctions from Western nations.
For those fleeing such oppression, deportation to China from intermediary countries like Thailand poses severe risks. Previous deportations have resulted in detainees vanishing into China’s opaque detention systems, with little or no information on their fates.
The Plight of the Thai Detainees
The 48 Uyghur men are the last of an original group of over 350 refugees who sought safety in Thailand. While 172 were resettled in Türkiye, 109 were forcibly deported to China, and several others have died in detention. The remaining detainees have endured deplorable conditions, including denial of healthcare, legal representation, and social contact. Reports indicate that the men have now resorted to a hunger strike to protest their treatment.
In October 2023, Thailand’s National Human Rights Commission issued a recommendation to release and resettle the detainees, in line with the country’s obligations under the United Nations Convention Against Torture and its domestic Anti-Torture Act. Despite this, Thai authorities have yet to act, reportedly succumbing to pressure from China amid the 50th anniversary of Thai-Chinese diplomatic relations.
Global Solidarity and Calls for Action
Uyghurs and human rights groups are urging the Thai government to:
- Immediately halt any plans to deport the Uyghur detainees to China.
- Grant the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) access to the detainees to assess their conditions and explore resettlement options.
- Uphold its obligations under the UN Convention Against Torture and its Anti-Torture Act.
The protest outside the Thai Embassy in London was part of a worldwide campaign by human rights organisations to advocate for the protection of Uyghur refugees and to hold China accountable for its ongoing repression.
“The Thai authorities must refrain from deporting these Uyghur refugees back to China, where they would certainly be subjected to the worst forms of abuse, in violation of international law,” said WUC President Turgunjan Alawdun. “We call for the immediate attention of world leaders.”
Writing in the Uyghur Times from Washington D.C., journalist and rights advocate Tahir Imin warned: “If these individuals are deported to China, they will face imprisonment, torture, and even the death penalty. These are our brothers and sisters.”
Tsering Passang, Founder and Chair of the Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities (GATPM), who endorsed the joint petition to the Thai government, stated: “The global community is watching Thailand’s response to this humanitarian crisis. Failing to act not only endangers innocent lives but also undermines Thailand’s credibility on the international stage.”
The London demonstration was organised by the UK Uyghur Community, Stop Uyghur Genocide, the World Uyghur Congress, and the Uyghur Solidarity Campaign. The joint petition to the Thai government was endorsed by a coalition of rights groups, including China Deviants, Free Tibet, the Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities (GATPM), Hongkongers in Britain, June4thSparks, and Taiwan Democracy.
As calls for action intensify, the Thai government faces mounting international pressure to demonstrate its commitment to justice, human dignity, and adherence to international law.
