The Uyghur International Institute calls on the Thai government to uphold its international obligations and protect the 43 detained Uyghurs from deportation to China, where they face grave risks of persecution, imprisonment, or worse. Deporting these individuals would be a clear violation of the principle of non-refoulement, enshrined in international law under Article 33 of the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, which Thailand is expected to respect as part of customary international law.
Non-refoulement prohibits returning individuals to countries where they may face torture, cruel or inhumane treatment, or persecution based on race, religion, nationality, or political opinion. Additionally, the Convention Against Torture (CAT), to which Thailand is a party, strictly forbids deportation to a country where there is a substantial risk of torture or harm.
We urge the Thai government to coordinate with the international community and democratic nations to secure the resettlement of these Uyghurs to countries willing to provide safety and refuge. Deporting them to China would violate international human rights norms and expose them to unimaginable harm.
Thailand has an opportunity to lead with compassion and demonstrate its commitment to human rights by working with global partners to ensure the freedom and protection of these vulnerable individuals.
