Thailand Under Fire: Two Uyghurs Face Imminent Deportation to China
Human Rights Watch warns Thailand against deporting two Uyghur men to China, citing risks of torture and enforced disappearance.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has issued an urgent plea to the Thai government, warning against the deportation of two Uyghur men to China. The international watchdog cautions that forcibly returning the men could expose them to severe human rights violations, including torture and enforced disappearances.
A Sudden Shift in Custody
Concerns reached a boiling point after Thai authorities moved the two detainees from prison to an immigration detention centre in Bangkok. The transfer to the Bangkok Immigration Detention Centre at Suan Phlu took place on October 21, 2026.
The men had been serving seven-year prison sentences, most of which they have already completed, and were granted a royal pardon. However, their move to an immigration facility is widely seen as a sign that their deportation to China may be imminent.
Diplomatic Pressure and Legal Battles
The situation is further complicated by reports of direct pressure from Beijing. According to Human Rights Watch, Chinese diplomats explicitly demanded the return of the two men during a meeting with Thai officials held in August.
The two individuals have been in Thai custody since 2014; notably, one of them was only 14 years old at the time of his arrival. Their recent imprisonment stemmed from an attempted escape from immigration detention back in January 2020.
Despite the pressure from China, the men's legal representatives have clearly informed the Thai authorities that neither individual consents to being sent back to China.
Blocked Asylum Claims
A major point of contention is the lack of transparency and cooperation from Thai immigration officials. HRW reports that officials have repeatedly denied the UN refugee agency access to the men, preventing an official assessment of their asylum claims.
Human Rights Watch has called upon Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to intervene, urging him to halt the deportation process and instead facilitate the men's relocation to a safe third country.
The Principle of Non-Refoulement
The organization emphasizes that Thailand's current trajectory violates the international principle of non-refoulement. This global legal standard prohibits any state from returning individuals to a country where there is a credible threat of persecution, torture, or other irreparable harm.
A History of Controversial Deportations
This current crisis follows a pattern of controversial actions by the Thai government regarding Uyghur detainees:
- February 2025: Thailand deported 40 Uyghur men to China. To date, there has been no independent confirmation regarding their safety or current location, and UN experts report that their families have received no information.
- July 2015: Thailand forcibly handed over more than 100 Uyghur men to Chinese authorities, though it did release approximately 170 women and children to Turkey.
As the two men remain in the Bangkok Immigration Detention Centre, the international community continues to watch closely, fearing that history is about to repeat itself.