Amnesty International has urged Thai authorities to halt the deportation of two Uyghur men back to China, amidst fears of potential torture, arbitrary detention, or enforced disappearance. Concerns from rights groups arise amid continued scrutiny over China’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims in the Xinjiang region. The men, transferred to a detention facility in Bangkok after a royal pardon, have been detained for over 12 years following their escape from persecution in China. Reportedly, their access to legal representation has been denied by Thai authorities according to JURIST.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has also appealed to Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, urging an immediate halt to the deportation plans and advocating for resettlement in a safe third country. HRW highlighted that China has formally asked for the men’s return, and claimed that Thai officials have repeatedly blocked the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees from assessing their refugee status. Previously, the return of a group of Uyghur men from Thailand to China in February 2025 left their fate unknown, raising alarms about the safety of these individuals as reported by Al Jazeera.
This situation revives concerns linked to alleged crimes against humanity against Uyghurs in Xinjiang. In 2022, a report by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights indicated that these violations could potentially constitute crimes against humanity. Recent briefs from Amnesty International reiterated China’s failure to address documented abuses, including detention without cause and torture.
Thailand’s international obligations under the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the return of individuals to states where they risk serious human rights violations, come under sharp focus in this context. As a signatory to the UN Convention Against Torture, Thailand is expected to uphold this principle. Amnesty International and HRW both stress the importance of allowing the men access to legal representation and facilitating safe relocation opportunities.
The ongoing appeals by rights groups highlight the broader challenges faced in addressing human rights issues and the complexities of international obligations intersecting with domestic policies.