IDC expresses concern regarding the forced return of 40 Uyghur individuals to China.
This action violates fundamental human rights, undermines Thailand’s progress in migration policy and raises serious concerns about regional stability and international cooperation.
In recent years, Thailand has demonstrated a clear commitment to enhancing its human rights standards and migration management. The country has made consistent efforts to align its laws and policies with international norms.
Thailand was elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council and has made progress in advancing migrant’s rights, serving as a model for many countries in the region. Other notable examples include the enactment of the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act, the elimination of the reservation on the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Thailand has been a leading force in driving change, particularly in implementing the Global Compact for Migration (GCM). This includes reviewing screening procedures, revising and improving measures and guidelines for alternatives to detention for children in immigration detention centers (MOU-ATD). The cabinet has also granted special temporary work permits to undocumented Cambodian, Laotian, Myanmar, and Vietnamese nationals, and approved principles and criteria for expediting nationality and legal status solutions for long-term migrants and their Thai-born children, among other initiatives.
Nonetheless, Thailand’s past successes have been undermined by actions on the night of February 27th, 2025, when the Thai government deported 40 Uyghur individuals to China in the middle of the night in sealed trucks, despite concerns from the international community.
This action damages Thailand’s image and credibility as a nation that respects human rights and plays a leading role in migration management. The decision not only negates past efforts but also raises concerns about regional stability and impacts international cooperation on peace maintenance.
International Detention Coalition (IDC) shares our grave concern with the international community and emphasises the importance of upholding refugee and asylum-seeking rights and the principle of non-refoulement which is non negotiable.
We urge the Thai government to end immigration detention of people who are in need of international protection, to ensure no further forcible deportations occur, and to provide full protection to those remaining in Thailand, in accordance with international obligations.