Urgent Concerns Raised Over Hunger Strike of Uyghur Refugees in Bangkok Amid Deportation Threats

The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) has expressed serious concern regarding a hunger strike initiated by 48 Uyghur refugees in Bangkok, which has lasted for 15 days. These individuals, who escaped persecution in East Turkistan in 2014, are under the threat of deportation to China and are actively protesting this possibility through their strike.

WUC's press release highlights the dire circumstances these refugees could face if returned to China, citing the country's ongoing record of systematic human rights abuses against Uyghurs, including unlawful detention and forced labor. The refugees have committed to continuing their hunger strike until they can engage with officials from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), but there has been no response from Thai authorities to their requests.

The situation has drawn international attention, with various parties not only supporting the refugees but also urging the Thai government to stop any deportation efforts. United Nations experts have specifically called upon Thailand to pause the potential deportation, emphasizing the serious risk of torture and inhumane treatment awaiting the refugees upon their return to China.

The experts have highlighted the abundant evidence of mistreatment of Uyghurs in China, raising alarms about the potential violations of international laws that protect individuals from being sent back to places where they may face torture. Such deportations are likely to result in irreversible harm to these refugees, further underscoring the importance of ensuring their safety and wellbeing during this critical time.