UN urges Thailand to halt deportation of 48 Uyghurs to China citing serious concerns over potential torture

“The treatment of the Uyghur minority in China is well-documented,” the Human Rights Council-appointed experts stated. “We are concerned they are at risk of suffering irreparable harm.”

The experts emphasised the international prohibition on refoulement, which forbids returning individuals to countries where they face real risks of torture or cruel treatment. They urged Thailand to provide urgent medical care to the mostly Muslim Uyghurs being held.

The 48 individuals are part of a larger group of around 350 Uyghurs detained in Thailand since 2014 after crossing the border irregularly. They have reportedly been held incommunicado for over a decade, without access to legal representation, family members or UN officials.

No return

“It is our view that these persons should not be returned to China,” the experts said. “They must be provided with access to asylum procedures and humanitarian assistance, including medical and psycho-social support.”

The experts highlighted that 23 of the 48 Uyghurs held suffer from severe health conditions, including diabetes, kidney dysfunction and paralysis. “It is essential they receive appropriate medical care,” the experts added.

Thai authorities were reminded of their obligation to treat all detainees humanely and with dignity, ensuring access to legal representation, medical assistance and the ability to communicate with lawyers and family members.

The plea underscores the urgent need for Thailand to uphold international human rights standards and protect the Uyghur detainees from potential harm.

Special Rapporteurs and other experts are not UN staff, receive no salary for their work and are fully independent of any government or organization.

Newly appointed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier pledged to press Thailand to prevent the deportation of 48 Uyghurs who have been held in the nation since 2014 after escaping alleged persecution in China.

"Thailand is a very strong U.S. partner, a strong historical ally," Rubio said during his Senate confirmation hearing last Wednesday as quoted by Voice of America.

The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) has urged the Thai authorities to halt any deportation of the 48 Uyghur refugees, detained in a Bangkok detention centre for 11 years, back to China.

The group of Uyghur men sent an SOS message on January 10, 2025 requesting immediate help from the international community, including human rights organisations and entities, WUC said in a statement.

This comes after alleged discussions of their deportation by the Royal Thai government, although they have made no official statement to confirm this.

Thai lawmakers and relatives of several of the detainees, alarmed by this imminent threat, have spoken publicly urging governments to not turn a blind eye.

‘’The Thai authorities must refrain from deporting these Uyghur refugees back to China, where they would certainly be subjected to the worst forms of abuses, in violation with the international law’’ said WUC President, Turgunjan Alawdun. ‘’We call the immediate attention of world leaders.’’