Deported move comes as petition is lodged aimed at halting 'cruel treatment' and blocking deportation to China
UCA News (27.02.2025) - A leading human rights group sought to petition the Criminal Court in Bangkok Feb. 27 seeking a halt to the deportation of 48 Uyghurs to China fromThailand, where they have been detained for more than 10 years, amid reports they were secretly repatriated overnight.
The Thai Inquirer reported online a China Southern Airlines plane that took off from Don Mueang Airport at 4:48 a.m., with its destination marked as "unspecified" on the Flightradar24 system, had landed at Kashgar Airport in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
It said six transport trucks with windows covered by black tape had earlier been seen leaving the Immigration Detention Center in Bangkok amid reports suggesting Thai authorities were secretly deporting 48 Uyghur refugees.
Thai Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai later confirmed 40 Uyghur detainees who had been in the country for nearly 11 years were deported, after receiving assurances from China that they would be looked after, the Bangkok Post reported on Feb. 27 late afternoon.
“They were sent back in accordance with international standards,” Phumtham was quoted as saying, providing the first official confirmation after a day of intense speculation.
Earlier, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra did not confirm an extradition had taken place, saying she had yet to discuss the issue with officials, Reuters reported on Feb. 27.
"This sort of issue, for any country, one has to follow the law, international process and human rights," she told reporters, without elaborating.
Human Rights Watch 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.
The Thai Inquirer report said news outlets had reported that the 48 Uyghurs have been unreachable since last night, and UNHCR officials have not been allowed into the detention center.
It also quoted Fair Party-list MP Kannavee Suebsang as saying six blacked-out trucks left the detention center at 2:14 a.m., escorted by police vehicles blocking access to expressways. The trucks have not returned.
In court, a petition was to be submitted by the Thai-based rights group, the Cross Cultural Foundation (CrCF), requesting an immediate ex parte inquiry under Section 26 of the Thai Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act.
“The petition seeks to halt acts of torture, cruel treatment, and the deportation, expulsion, or extradition of 48 Uyghur detainees immediately,” CrCF said in a statement sent to UCA News.
Rights groups have said the Thai government planned to return them imminently, and on Jan. 21 United Nations experts urged authorities to "immediately halt" the possible transfer, warning the 48 could face torture if returned.
But the following day Thai authorities denied there was an immediate plan to send them back to China which has been accused of grave human rights abuses in Xinjiang and has a long history of demanding regional countries send back Uyghurs who fled and sought asylum.
“The court has the authority to summon state officials or other relevant individuals to provide testimony, submit documents, or present any material evidence as part of the inquiry. The court may also order officials to bring the detainees before the court,” CrCF said.
It said the petition followed the reports suggesting Thailand planned to deport Uyghurs detained at the Immigration Detention Center in Bangkok where they suffer from poor hygiene, inadequate medical care, and persistent fear of being sent back.
“The prolonged detention of Uyghur individuals for over a decade without a clear timeline for release or resettlement in a third country constitutes cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, which is unlawful,” it said.
CrCF also stressed the potential deportation, expulsion, or extradition of these individuals raises serious concerns, as it would expose them to the risk of torture or, enforced disappearance, violating Section 13 of Thailand’s Anti-Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act.
“For Thailand to uphold a society based on respect for human dignity and equality, the government must refrain from deporting, expelling, or extraditing these Uyghur individuals,” it said.
Kannavee urged the Thai prime minister to explain the situation, stressing that the Uyghurs must not be sent back to face persecution, noting they had been detained for over a decade without charge.
Source: UCA News
