Thailand Deports 40 Uyghur Asylum Seekers to China, Drawing International Condemnation

Rights groups warn of torture and imprisonment as Thailand forcibly returns Uyghurs detained for over a decade to China at Beijing's request.

The Thai government deported 40 Uyghur asylum seekers to China on Thursday, despite warnings from rights groups and the United Nations about potential torture, imprisonment, or enforced disappearances.
The deportees were part of a group detained in Thailand since 2014 after fleeing alleged persecution in China's Xinjiang region, where Beijing has been accused of widespread human rights abuses against Uyghurs.
Thai officials claimed the deportation followed domestic and international laws, with assurances from China that the individuals would be treated well, though rights organizations strongly dispute this.
The deportation has been condemned as a violation of Thailand's international obligations, with activists highlighting the detainees' poor health after years in detention and the risk of severe mistreatment in China.
Observers suggest the move reflects Thailand's efforts to maintain strong ties with Beijing, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.