Thailand urged to halt deportation of 48 Uyghurs to China amid torture risks, says UN

UN experts have called on Thailand to immediately stop the possible deportation of 48 Uyghurs to the People’s Republic of China, warning that the group faces a real risk of torture or other inhumane treatment if returned.

The experts emphasised that the prohibition on refoulement prohibits returning individuals to countries where they face such risks, as enshrined in international law.

The detainees are part of a larger group of approximately 350 Uyghurs who were arrested in 2014 after crossing the Thai border irregularly.

Held in the Bangkok Immigration Detention Centre (IDC) for more than a decade, they have had no access to legal representation, family visits, or international agencies such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Health and humanitarian concerns

According to the UN statement, 23 of the detainees are suffering from serious health issues, including diabetes, kidney dysfunction, paralysis, and respiratory conditions. The experts highlighted the urgent need for adequate medical care and psycho-social support.

Human rights organisations have described conditions at the Bangkok IDC as deplorable. Overcrowding, inadequate food, poor hygiene, and lack of medical care have contributed to deteriorating health. Five Uyghurs have reportedly died in Thai detention, including two children.

The UN experts reiterated that individuals deprived of liberty must be treated humanely, with access to proper legal and medical resources. They also called for independent monitoring and judicial review of the detainees’ situation.

Separated families and Beijing’s influence

The plight of the detainees is compounded by family separation. “Niluper,” a Uyghur refugee now living in Turkey with her three children, has been separated from her husband, who remains among the 48 detained Uyghurs.

Speaking to the BBC, she described her fears: “I live in constant pain, afraid I may hear he’s been deported. My youngest son has never even met his father.”

Thailand’s reluctance to allow Uyghur detainees to join their families in Turkey is reportedly tied to pressure from Beijing. China has accused Uyghurs of separatist activities and has been criticised for its mass detention of Uyghurs in re-education camps.

In 2015, Thailand deported 109 Uyghurs to China, drawing international condemnation. Photographs showed detainees hooded, handcuffed, and under heavy guard. Many reportedly faced harsh treatment or imprisonment after their return. The Thai government’s close ties to Beijing, particularly amidst economic cooperation efforts, complicate the situation.

Calls for action

The UN experts called on Thailand to prioritise human rights over external pressures, urging the government to release detainees arbitrarily held and ensure they are not subjected to refoulement. “It is essential to provide them with asylum access, medical care, and humanitarian support,” the experts said.

Thailand’s recent election to the UN Human Rights Council amplifies international expectations for adherence to human rights norms. Experts warn that deporting the detainees could severely damage the country’s credibility and invite further scrutiny.

For the detainees and their families, the stakes are immense. “They deserve to live without the fear of torture or indefinite detention,” the experts concluded, urging Thailand to uphold its obligations under international law.