A group of 43 Uyghur men detained in Thailand for over a decade is appealing to halt their potential deportation to China, fearing persecution and torture. In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, the detainees expressed grave concerns, stating, “We could be imprisoned, and we might even lose our lives.” Activists and family members have also raised alarms, urging international intervention to prevent what they describe as a violation of human rights, reports AP.
The Uyghurs, a Turkic Muslim minority native to China’s Xinjiang region, face systemic oppression, including mass detentions in camps that some governments have labeled as genocide. Thailand detained over 300 Uyghurs in 2014, splitting them between deportation to China and resettlement in Turkey. However, 48 remain in detention under harsh conditions, including overcrowding, poor nutrition, and lack of access to legal or familial support.
Recent reports indicate that Thai immigration officials asked detainees to sign voluntary deportation papers, heightening fears of forced repatriation. Human rights advocates warn that deporting the Uyghurs could lead to imprisonment, torture, or worse. “There’s no evidence that the 43 Uyghurs have committed any crime,” said Peter Irwin of the Uyghur Human Rights Project.
Relatives of the detainees, such as Bilal Ablet and Abdullah Muhammad, voiced frustration over the inaction of global powers, accusing governments of bowing to Chinese pressure. Despite international outcry, the Thai government has restricted access to the detainees, even for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which has acknowledged receiving asylum applications from the group.
The potential deportations coincide with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China, raising concerns about political motivations. Activists and relatives are calling for immediate action to secure the safety of the detainees and prevent what they fear could be a humanitarian catastrophe.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
