US condemns Thailand's return of 40 Uyghurs to China

The whereabouts of the remaining 37 individuals and their families remain unknown,

casting doubt on the legitimacy of the reunion

They applied for UNHCR [U.N. refugee agency] protection, but UNHCR has no access to them. They are barred from seeing their families, lawyers, [and] UNHCR. They are not even allowed to be bailed,

which VOA confirmed with UNHCR

I don’t want to speak right now,

Elima said in a trembling voice message to VOA

Even when other countries offered resettlement, Thailand refused to release them,

Elima told VOA

On February 27th, 40 Chinese nationals who had illegally entered Thailand were repatriated to Xinjiang, China on a chartered flight of China Civil Aviation Company [Southern Airlines],

posted the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok on Facebook

This is a beautiful, nice ending for them, for their families. And Thailand is no longer burdened,

he declared

We had to put our lives in harm’s way,

citing China’s refusal to issue passports as a reason of their flight without documents in 2013 and 2014.

So far, only these 3 men and their families have been used as propaganda material. I don’t believe all 40 men's families were summoned to Kashgar – some have relatives who are deceased or imprisoned,

Elima, responded to the images with a post on X, saying ... the post said

We call on Chinese authorities to provide full access to verify the well-being of the returned Uyghurs on a regular basis. The Thai government must insist and fully verify continuously that Chinese authorities protect the Uyghurs’ human rights.”

U. ... and added

Marco Rubiosecretary of State

We condemn in the strongest possible terms Thailand's forced return of at least 40 Uyghurs to China, where they lack due process rights and where Uyghurs have faced persecution, forced labor, and torture,

Rubio said in a statement

Marco Rubiosecretary of State

We urge all governments in countries where Uyghurs seek protection not to forcibly return ethnic Uyghurs to China,

Rubio said

This is a formal measure between China and Thailand in combating smuggling and protecting the rights and interests of Chinese citizens in accordance with the laws of both countries,

it said in a statement, promising to return them “back to their normal lives.”

Phil Robertsonamerican professional hunter, businessman and reality television personality

This massive human rights violation blows apart any pretense the Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her Thai government has made to be a rights-respecting member of the U.N. Human Rights Council,

said Phil Robertson, director of Asia Human Rights and Labor Advocates

Deporting these Uyghurs to China violates the kingdom’s anti-torture law — which is our own domestic law, as well as international law” due to the risks they face in China

Rangsiman Rome, a prominent opposition lawmaker, said

Today I feel utterly upset and sad,

Kannavee Suebsang, a member of parliament for the Fair Party who was also a field officer with UNHCR, told parliament

The Thai government should resign its seat on the Council to show responsibility for its outrageous and unacceptable action,

he said

They reiterated that they will sincerely take care of their safety, their accommodation, as well as allow their family members of these Uyghurs to welcome them home,

he said

It was done in accordance with Thai law and international principles. There are no problems. They will be looked after well because they are their people,

Phumtham said

The Chinese government doesn’t want the world to hear their stories,

the brother of one detainee told the Guardian in January

The Chinese government is always paranoid about Uyghurs going to a safe country in large numbers and living together,

said the man, who left China in 2016.