Amidst concerns that the Thai authorities are preparing to deport 48 Uyghur refugees detained at Bangkok's Suan Phlu Immigration Detention Centre back to China, at least three groups of detainees were moved in the middle of the night on Wednesday (26 February) and early Thursday morning (27 February). The second and third groups were moved in trucks with blacked-out windows, while police officers asked reporters not to take pictures.

A detention truck with blacked-outed window leaving the Suan Phlu Immigration Detention Center at 02.26 on Thursday morning (27 February)

A Prachatai reporter in front of the centre said that a set of detention trucks left the centre at 02.26. They were moving fast, and were followed by a police car. The police also blocked the road so that other vehicles could not follow the trucks onto the expressway. After the trucks left, three police officers approached the reporter and asked them not to take pictures. A second set of trucks then left the centre, followed by an ambulance, but went in a different direction from the first set.

Our reporter could not confirm whether it was Uyghur refugees inside the trucks as the windows were blacked out. 4 other trucks left the centre earlier in the night, but it could not be confirmed whether there were refugees inside them.

One of the first set of detention trucks which left the center at around 00.52.

People's Party MP Romadon Panjor was in front of the centre last night (26 February). He said that he met relatives of other detainees in the centre earlier in the day who were denied visitation rights and who were told that the centre was closed on 26 - 27 February.

Romadon noted that several People's Party MPs have tried to contact the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to confirm whether the government is moving the Uyghur refugees but were told that both ministries are unaware of such matter. Meanwhile, agencies like the National Security Council and the Immigration Bureau said it was an issue for the political sections, which Romadon said cause more reason to keep an eye on the issue.

The online news agency The Reporters said that the 48 refugees could not be reached since Tuesday night (25 February). An officer from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was also prohibited from going inside the centre.

Police Commissioner-General Pol Gen Kitrat Panphet told Matichon Online when asked about the trucks with blacked-out windows that it was a “matter of national security” and that he was unable to provide any additional detail at the time.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said that she has not discussed the matter in detail, but that it is a serious matter and should be handled in line with international law and human rights principles.

The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) issued a statement last night (26 February) demanding that the Thai government halt its plan to deport the 48 refugees, as they would be at risk of torture, enforced disappearance, and other human rights abuses if they are deported to China.

Elaine Pearson, Human Rights Watch’s Asia Director, said that the potential deportation of the 48 refugees is “deeply troubling,” and called on the Prime Minister not to return them to China, where they are at risk of imprisonment and torture.

Meanwhile, the Cross-Cultural Foundation said that it is filing a request with the Ratchadapisek Criminal Court this afternoon (27 February) for an ex parte hearing in accordance with Section 26 of the 2022 anti-torture and enforced disappearance act regarding the alleged deportation of the 48 Uyghur refugees. It is requesting that the Court order the Thai authorities to stop the deportation.

The 2022 anti-torture act stipulates that a motion can be filed with the court for a hearing if there is a claim that a person is being subjected to torture, enforced disappearance, or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. The court may order the immediate end to such act.