Ministers have confirmed the deportation of 40 Uyghur refugees, claiming that they agreed to return to China, and that no third country had offered to take them. Meanwhile, letters written by the Uyghurs have been revealed, showing their desire not to return to China.

Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Justice Minister Tawee Sadsong, and Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, along with PM’s Office Spokesperson Jarayu Houngsub, on Thursday (27 February) held a press briefing regarding the deportation of 40 Uyghur refugees.

40 Uyghur refugees do not face serious charges

Jirayu said that according to the Chinese authorities these 40 Uyghur refugees violated Chinese law solely by leaving the country illegally and they were not involved in any serious crimes. Upon their arrival in China, they would be allowed to reunite with their families immediately. The spokesperson noted that the Thai government prioritised this aspect, as some of them had been separated from their families for a decade.

Why did the government delay any clarification?

Phumtham explained the government needed to wait for the Chinese authorities to complete all necessary procedures, emphasising that the diplomatic request had been carefully reviewed to prevent any harmful consequences. He also added that the process began several months ago.

The Defence Minister also acknowledged public concerns about the possibility of deportees facing danger. However, the government adhered to both domestic and international laws, including the Enforced Disappearance Act, to ensure the Uyghur refugees’ safety.

He said the government is confident that the deported Uyghur will not face issues that many fear.

40 Uyghur were willing to return

According to the Immigration Bureau, the authorities engaged in discussions with the Uyghur refugees about the deportation, and no force was used during the transfer. The Uyghur refugees voluntarily agreed to return to China under the condition that they would be safe and not subjected to torture.

Phumtham said the Uyghur refugees were detained for over a decade, reiterating that the government acknowledged that such a prolonged detention is deemed inappropriate. The viable options were either third country resettlement or voluntary repatriation.

In practice, if a third country offered to accept them, Thailand would transfer them accordingly, and if their home country requested their return and they agreed, the transfer would proceed.

Previously, Turkey reached out to Thailand to declare its intention to accept 100 Uyghur refugees, including children, women, and the elderly. However, since then no third country has made contact with Thailand for over a decade.

China guaranteed the Uyghurs’ safety

The Defence Minister said before deporting the 40 Uyghur refugees to China, the government was ensured by the Chinese authorities that the process was in line with the standard procedures. The Chinese authorities sent a letter to the Thai government and vowed that the deported refugees would be well treated.

The immigration authorities also asserted that the letter from the Chinese was translated into the Uyghur language and shown to the Uyghur in order to create a mutual understanding that Chinese authorities would not pursue any legal actions against them.

In addition, when PM Paetongtarn made an official visit to China, Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang allayed her concerns about this matter. He also remarked that these Uyghur are Chinese citizens.

The police also revealed that after the agreement between the Thai and Chinese governments was shown to the Uyghur, some of them expressed a desire to return to China. Following the discussion, all of them eventually understood and returned without any conditions.

However, when Phumtham was asked about those who were unwilling to return, he said he could not speak on their behalf.

Thai authorities observed every process

Phumtham said he instructed the Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police Kraiboon Suadsong and the Secretary-General of the National Security Chatchai Bangchuad, along with the Royal Thai Embassy in Beijing, to observe the process after the 40 Uyghur refugees landed on Chinese soil.

From now on, the Thai authorities will visit China periodically to confirm that the deported individuals are safe. The Chinese government also agreed that the Thai authorities will be involved in the post-deportation process.

Within the first seven days, the Justice Minister will also visit, after which the Embassy will continue to check on their well-being. 

The Chinese authorities also arranged visits to the homes of Uyghur refugees who returned to China ten years ago to check on their well-being. Chatchai said they were found living in good conditions. Some of the deported and their relatives also expressed gratitude to both the Thai and Chinese governments for reuniting them with their families.

Why did the transfer happen at night?

Phumtham said conducting the transfer earlier would have led to chaos. In addition, the deported would arrive in Xinjiang during daylight, which could prevent them from being taken to other places.

What about the 8 remaining?

Among the 8 remaining individuals, five are Uyghur refugees who were not be deported due to criminal charges they are facing. They were convicted of robbery and sentenced to a total of 16 years. The court reduced their sentence to 8 years, and they are currently detained at Klong Prem Central Prison.

The other 3 are still being held at Suan Phlu Immigration Detention Centre since they hold passports from other countries, not China.

Letters from Uygur refugees revealed

On 28 February, MP Kannavee Suebsang from the Fair Party disclosed three letters written by the Uyghur refugees to the UNHCR and the Thai PM. All three letters conveyed a similar message: they did not want to return to China.

The first letter was written on 13 June 2024, but it was not delivered to the UNHCR. It stated in English “We do not want to go back to China. If we are returned to China we will be imprisoned or killed.”

The second letter was written on 15 November 2024 to the Thai PM in English. “As the god helped to your family to reunite again. Help the poor people like us to reunite with our family. Please Please.”

The third letter ,written on January 8 in Uyghur script, was followed by a hunger strike from January 10 to 28.