07/09/2015

Uyghur refugees deported from Thailand: Eyewitnesses report killing of 25 refugees

Independent investigation demanded (Press Release)

© Flickr/Sergio Tittarini

According to eyewitness reports, up to 25 Uyghur refugees were shot dead when they tried to resist being deported from Thailand to China. Thus, the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) demands independent investigations into the incident, which took place at the military part of the airport of Bangkok. The human rights organization appealed to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, to have the allegations examined by independent experts as soon as possible. "In China, the deportees must fear for their lives, because their escape was illegal and because the Chinese security authorities treat them as suspected terrorists," is how Ulrich Delius, the STP's China-expert, criticizes the expulsion of more than 90 Uyghurs the day before. "If people are deported despite the fact that they are facing the death penalty, severe torture or life imprisonment, this is a clear violation of international laws and of the basic principles of refugee protection."

Further, the Society for Threatened Peoples urges the European Union to condemn the inhumane deportation of the Uyghurs. The STP has already held several talks with the Thai embassy in Berlin, pointing out the life-threatening situation of the deported Uyghur refugees in China.

On Wednesday, more than 90 Uyghur men, women and children had been brought back to the Peoples Republic of China from Bangkok in two Chinese aircraft. Uyghur eyewitnesses who had watched the scenario later reported that the security forces had started shooting refugees who tried to resist. It is unclear whether they were killed by Thai or Chinese security personnel.

"The allegations are outrageous. The occurrences must be investigated immediately to clarify the circumstances of the forced deportation," said Delius. "If the reports of the eyewitnesses are true, then Thailand's military government will have to answer some uncomfortable questions. Further, since the US government is categorically against Uyghur refugees being deported to China, this would be a serious problem regarding Thailand's economically important relations to the US."

Due to the increasing persecution in China, more and more Uyghur refugees are trying to escape to safe third countries via the countries of Southeast Asia. In Thailand, more than 500 Uyghurs lived in detention camps under inhumane conditions for more than a year. Turkey had offered to accommodate the refugees, but China insisted that they must be brought back to the People's Republic. Last week, 173 refugees were flown from Thailand to Turkey.


Header photo: Flickr/Sergio Tittarini