Six transport trucks with windows covered in black tape were seen leaving the Immigration Detention Center (IDC) in Suan Phlu last night. Reports suggest Thai authorities are secretly deporting 48 Uyghur refugees who have been detained for over a decade to China.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has expressed deep concern, stating that the operation violated standard procedures. The use of black tape to seal vehicles is unprecedented, and police escorts blocking the convoy prevented anyone from tracking its destination.

This comes as international warnings indicate that the Thai government has reversed its commitment not to deport Uyghur detainees to China. The 2022 Act on the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearances and international law prohibit returning individuals to countries where they may face torture, enforced disappearance, or persecution.

Despite previous assurances, reports suggest that secret deportations have already taken place. The U.S. Department of State has raised concerns with Congress, and the new U.S. Secretary of State has warned that deporting Uyghurs to China puts them at extreme risk of serious human rights violations, including genocide.

HRW has called on the Thai government to ensure the safety of Uyghurs in its custody and to stop any further deportations. As a UN Human Rights Council member, Thailand is obligated to protect refugees and must not send them to countries where they could be harmed. The secrecy surrounding the operation raises serious questions about its intent.

Since 2015, around 300 Uyghurs have sought refuge in Thailand. Of these, 170 women and children were sent to Turkey, while 109 were deported to China. Currently, 48 remain—43 in detention and five in prison for attempted escapes. Concerns about their health, including hunger strikes, and fears of deportation persist.

HRW has urged the Thai government and Prime Minister to confirm the Uyghurs' safety and immediately stop any deportation plans. Sending them to China could put their lives at risk.

#Thailand #China #Uyghur #Refugees #HumanRights #UNHRC

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