UN High Commissioner Volker Turk has condemned Thailand’s deportation of 40 Uyghurs to China as a violation of human rights laws. He criticized the breach of the principle of non-refoulement, which protects individuals from being returned to countries where they may face harm. The U.S. also condemned the action, urging Thailand to uphold international obligations.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has publicly condemned the deportation of 40 Uyghurs from Thailand to China, citing it as a clear violation of international human rights standards. He expressed sorrow regarding the forced return, emphasizing the infringement of the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to countries where they risk torture or inhumane treatment.
This principle is outlined in key human rights treaties, to which Thailand is a signatory, such as the Convention against Torture. Turk’s office highlighted the dire situation of these individuals, who have been in detention under poor conditions since 2014. Among them, five have reportedly died while in custody, with eight believed to remain detained.
Turk has urged the Thai authorities to acknowledge and respect their international legal obligations towards individuals requiring protection. He called for the Chinese government to provide information about the deportees’ current status and to ensure that they are treated according to international human rights principles.
The U.S. government expressed its condemnation of Thailand’s actions, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasizing that the Uyghurs must be treated with dignity and their rights protected. Rubio stated in a social media post that the return of the Uyghurs was alarming and a breach of Thailand’s international commitments.
Turk concluded by insisting that Thailand must prevent any further deportations and ensure the full protection of the remaining individuals who may qualify as refugees or asylum seekers, in accordance with their obligations under international law.
In summary, the forced repatriation of the Uyghurs from Thailand to China has sparked significant condemnation from international human rights authorities, particularly the UN. The incident has raised concerns over Thailand’s adherence to its international obligations regarding the treatment of individuals seeking protection. Both the UN and the U.S. Government have called for transparency and respect for human rights standards in dealing with vulnerable populations.
Original Source: www.tribuneindia.com
