UN Raises Alarm: Lives of 48 Uyghurs in Peril Amid Possible Deportation from Thailand to China

The international community is increasing pressure on Thailand regarding the fate of 48 Uyghur men who have been detained in the country for over a decade. UN experts and human rights organizations are raising the alarm, warning of a 'real risk of torture' if these individuals are deported to China. The situation has intensified amidst reports of a hunger strike declared by the detainees in protest against their potential return to China, according to NewsBox.

These men have been in custody since 2014 after crossing the Thai border. They are part of a larger group of refugees fleeing persecution in China, finding themselves in a situation of legal limbo. Described as 'horrific,' the detention conditions include poor hygiene, lack of adequate medical care, and limited access to the outside world. Reports indicate that five Uyghurs, including children, have died in custody, reports CNN.

Concerns over potential deportation heightened after detainees were asked to sign documents about 'voluntary return.' This action, along with reports of increased threats from immigration officials, sparked a strong reaction from the international community.

UN experts, in a joint statement, urged Thailand to halt any potential deportation, emphasizing that 23 out of the 48 men suffer from serious illnesses requiring immediate medical attention.

‘It is crucial that they receive the necessary and appropriate medical care,’ the experts stressed.

A voice recording from one of the detainees, published by activist Arslan Hidayat, became a desperate plea for help.

‘You all know what will happen to us if we are sent back to China,’ the message, addressed to the ‘free world,’ claimed.

While Thai authorities deny plans for deportation, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the situation as ‘judicial cooperation between two sovereign states,’ condemning the UN experts for ‘interfering in judicial sovereignty.’