In brief
The Thai government has deported 40 Uyghur men back to China, prompting outcry from rights organizations who warn of risks including torture and imprisonment.
Thailand has made the controversial decision to send 40 Uyghur men back to China, following their detention in Bangkok for over a decade. These individuals, part of a group that fled China in 2014 from persecution, had sought refuge in Thailand with hopes of reaching Turkey, where a significant Uyghur community exists. Activists and rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, have condemned this action, asserting that these men face potential torture and imprisonment upon their return. Many of the detainees had recently initiated a hunger strike as anxiety grew regarding their fate.Witnesses reported seeing trucks leaving the detention center in the early hours on Thursday, signaling the deportation. Reports indicate the prisoners were flown to Kashgar, a region in Xinjiang, the Uyghurs' homeland. Rights organizations criticized the Thai authorities for contradicting previous assurances of non-repatriation.Human Rights Watch emphasized that this deportation violates both domestic and international laws, raising further alarm about the treatment awaiting the deported men back in China, as official reports from both countries lacked specific details about the individuals involved.
