The United States on Thursday condemned the Thai government for forcibly deporting 40 Uyghur refugees to China. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Thailand to ensure that the Uyghurs are treated with dignity and that their rights are protected.
US Reacts to Thailand’s Action
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Rubio expressed concern over the deportation:
“Thailand forcibly returned a group of Uyghurs to China. As a longstanding ally of Thailand, we are alarmed by this action, which runs afoul of its international obligations.”
He further added:
“The US condemns this action. We urge the Thai government to ensure and verify that the Uyghurs are treated with dignity and that their rights are protected.”
East Turkistan Government in Exile Condemns Thailand
The East Turkistan Government in Exile (ETGE) also strongly criticized the Thai government, accusing it of complicity in China’s ongoing Uyghur genocide.
According to ETGE, a China Southern Airlines flight (CSN5246) was tracked traveling on February 27, 2025, from Bangkok, Thailand (DMK) to Kashgar, East Turkistan (KHG).
“This direct transfer of Uyghurs from Thailand to Chinese-occupied East Turkistan is irrefutable proof that the Thai government is actively collaborating with the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in its systematic campaign of genocide and crimes against humanity against the Uyghur people,” the ETGE statement read.
Thailand’s History of Deporting Uyghurs
This is not the first time Thailand has faced criticism for assisting China in persecuting Uyghurs.
In 2015, over 100 Uyghur refugees were forcibly deported, with many reportedly disappearing, being imprisoned, or even executed by the Chinese regime.
“Thailand’s shameless refoulement of Uyghur refugees is a direct contribution to China’s ongoing genocide in East Turkistan. By handing innocent Uyghur refugees to a regime that is committing genocide and crimes against humanity, Thailand has stained its hands with the blood of the Uyghur people and must face immediate consequences,” stated Mamtimin Ala, President of the East Turkistan Government in Exile.
Call for Global Action
The East Turkistan Government in Exile has called on governments, human rights organizations, and international bodies to expose and condemn Thailand’s actions.
The statement urged that Thailand must not act with impunity as an enabler of genocide, warning that Uyghur refugees in other countries could also face forced deportation.
“Sanctions, diplomatic consequences, and full accountability must be imposed without delay.”