The future of 48 Uyghur detainees, who have languished in Thailand for over a decade, remains unclear following an early-morning motorcade and a flight that reportedly arrived in China.
The situation came to light through social media posts revealing detention vans leaving the facility around 2 AM, escorted by police to obscure their destination.
At Don Mueang Airport, China Southern Airlines flight CZ5245 from Kashgar landed late Wednesday night. The same plane, rebranded as flight CZ5246, departed early Thursday with an unspecified destination, eventually landing in Kashgar six hours later.
Reports from China’s official Xinhua news agency stated that 40 individuals who had entered Thailand illegally were repatriated, although it remains uncertain if this pertains to the Uyghurs, who face severe scrutiny from Beijing.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry cast doubt on the reports, suggesting that “certain political forces” are perpetuating falsehoods about Xinjiang to create unrest.
In parliament, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra commented that any actions taken must comply with laws, international protocols, and considerations of human rights.
MP Kannavee Suebsaeng called on the prime minister to clarify the situation, emphasizing the need to protect the Uyghurs from potential persecution upon repatriation.
Concerns Over National Security
National police chief Kittharath Punpetch refrained from discussing the specifics, citing national security concerns and indicating that information would be released at a later date.
Sources from the Immigration Bureau confirmed the transfer of the Uyghurs from their detention facility, but details regarding their fate remain murky. They could potentially be moved to another facility, sent to a third country, or repatriated to China.
The ambiguity surrounding the Uyghurs’ status requires immediate clarification, according to Rangsiman Rome, chairman of the House committee on national security. He urged the government to confront the issue transparently, emphasizing the potential implications for international relations.
Human rights advocates warn that returning these individuals to China could severely damage Thailand’s reputation regarding human rights, particularly given international law prohibitions against returning individuals to countries where they may face persecution.
Reports of abuse against the Uyghur population, a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority in Xinjiang, have been widely documented, although Beijing denies any claims of mistreatment.
As a new member of the UN Human Rights Council, Thailand is urged to uphold its commitments to protect refugees without compromising their safety.
The immigration detention center in Soi Suan Phlu in Bangkok has housed Uyghur detainees for nearly 11 years.
Background on Uyghur Detention
Concerns regarding the Uyghurs intensified in January when reports indicated fears of imminent deportation to China. Thailand has been a key transit point for Uyghurs fleeing oppression, particularly those aiming to reach Turkey for asylum.
The group currently detained is part of a larger cohort initially arrested near the Malaysia border in March 2014. While some detainees have been released to Turkey, many remain in detention, facing dire conditions.
Currently, 43 Uyghur asylum seekers remain in detention, subjected to uncertain conditions and barred from communication with the outside world. Their status is under the jurisdiction of the National Security Council, complicating their access to legal protections and asylum processes.
Despite assertions from law enforcement regarding their treatment, concerns persist about the conditions faced by the Uyghurs in custody.
