EU Condemns Thailand's Deportation of Uyghurs Amid Human Rights Concerns

The European Parliament has condemned Thailand's deportation of 40 Uyghurs to China, highlighting risks of detention and torture. The deported were held in Bangkok for over a decade. China claims deportees will undergo skills training, despite global concerns about forced labor in Xinjiang. The EU urges transparency and respect for human rights.

In a move drawing international criticism, the European Parliament has officially condemned Thailand's decision to deport 40 Uyghur individuals back to China. This action, carried out on February 27, has been labeled as a violation of international law, according to a report from Radio Free Asia (RFA). The deportees are believed to face severe risks, including arbitrary detention and torture.

These individuals, part of a larger group fleeing China, had been detained in Bangkok's Immigration Detention Center since 2014. Reports suggest they are likely to face punishment upon their return, a fate that has befallen many Uyghurs attempting to escape. RFA highlighted cases such as that of Memet Awut and Turdi Abla, who were sentenced to nine years imprisonment after aborting their escape plans and returning to Xinjiang.

A spokesperson from the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok indicated that the deported Uyghurs will undergo 'vocational skills training,' amidst widespread allegations of forced labor in Xinjiang's camps. The European resolution refrained from mentioning these camps directly, but urged China to ensure transparency and uphold the rights of the deportees. It also recognized Thailand as a crucial EU partner, calling on Bangkok to bolster its democratic institutions and adhere to international human rights standards, as reported by ANI.

(With inputs from agencies.)