Uyghurs at a market in Xinjiang, China
Washington/Beijing: The United States today expressed its “firm disapproval” of Thailand’s decision to forcibly return at least 40 Uyghurs to China, emphasizing this condemnation with the strongest language possible. The U.S. highlighted the grave concerns surrounding the lack of due process rights for these individuals in China, a country where Washington claimed Uyghurs have been subjected to severe persecution, forced labour, and torture.
Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, expressed deep concern regarding Thailand’s recent actions, highlighting that they could violate the country’s international commitments under the UN Convention Against Torture and the International Convention on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. He emphasized that such measures contradict the Thai people’s historical dedication to safeguarding the vulnerable and undermine Thailand’s pledge to uphold human rights. Furthermore, he called on all nations where Uyghurs are seeking refuge to refrain from forcibly repatriating them to China.
“As Thailand’s longstanding ally, we are alarmed by this action, which risks running afoul of its international obligations under the UN Convention Against Torture and the International Convention on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance,” he said.
He asserted that the Chinese Communist Party has perpetrated acts of genocide and crimes against humanity, primarily aimed at Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minorities in Xinjiang. “We urge the Chinese government to grant complete access for regular checks on the welfare of the repatriated Uyghurs,: he stated and asked the Thai Government to demand and ensure ongoing verification that Chinese authorities safeguard the rights of the Uyghurs.
Lin Jian, the spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, revealed in Beijing that today, a group of 40 Chinese citizens who had entered Thailand without authorization were returned to China. He highlighted that this repatriation was conducted under the legal frameworks of both China and Thailand, as well as international law and established norms. Lin stated, “This action represents a collaborative effort by both nations to address human trafficking and other transnational criminal activities. The rights and interests of the individuals involved have been thoroughly safeguarded.”
Illegal migration and smuggling are globally recognized as serious crimes that significantly disturb the order of cross-border interactions. Jian said the Chinese government stands firmly against all types of human smuggling. “We will continue to fight crimes that involve obstructing national frontier and border administration in accordance with law, and hold those planning and organizing such activities accountable for legal responsibilities,” he asserted. At the same time, he elaborated, China will actively engage in international security governance and enhance cooperation with relevant nations in law enforcement to jointly tackle the challenges posed by cross-border crimes, ensuring safe and orderly travel to and from China and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of individuals crossing borders.
China asserted that it adheres to the rule of law, boasting a comprehensive framework of laws and regulations designed to protect human rights within its judicial system. Its achievements are there for all to see, Jian said. He claimed that all Chinese, including the Uyghurs in Xinjiang, fully enjoy economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights.
“Some political forces and institutions fabricate and spread Xinjiang-related lies for no other reason than destabilizing Xinjiang,” Jian said. He asserted that Beijing stood firmly against the attempts to use human rights as a pretext to interfere with China’s internal affairs and to use Xinjiang-related issues to disturb normal law enforcement cooperation between countries. “Certain parties must stop concocting and spreading Xinjiang-related lies and absurd accusations,” he stated.
– global bihari bureau
