The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) urgently repeats its calls on the Thai government to immediately halt the planned deportation of 48 Uyghur refugees to China, scheduled for February 27, 2025. If carried out, this deportation would put the refugees at grave risk of torture, enforced disappearance, and other severe human rights abuses at the hands of the Chinese government.

 “Thailand must immediately stop the deportation of these Uyghur refugees, who have already endured over a decade of unjust detention. Sending them back to China would be a death sentence,’’ said WUC President, Turgunjan Alawdun. ‘’The international community must take coordinated urgent action to ensure their safety and demand their release.” 

These Uyghur refugees are part of a group that fled persecution in East Turkistan and have been arbitrarily detained in Thailand since 2014. 109 of them were deported at the time, despite reassurances given by the Thai government to UNHCR. In the face of repeated international appeals, the group of refugees have been denied legal representation, humanitarian protection, and resettlement opportunities. Thailand’s decision to deport them violates international law, particularly the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the return of individuals to countries where they may face serious harm. 

The World Uyghur Congress strongly urges the Thai government, once again to abide by its international human rights commitments and work with the UNHCR and third countries to facilitate their safe resettlement. The WUC calls on governments, human rights organizations, and the international community to take immediate diplomatic action and prevent this blatant violation of Uyghur refugees’ rights.