Thai Court to Decide on Deportation of Uyghurs Wanted by China

According to DW, Thai security officials stated that five Uyghurs detained since 2014 face Chinese arrest warrants, and a court will decide their deportation. Human rights groups expressed concern, while two pardoned men stated they would rather die than return to China.

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Detention Context and Warrants

According to Deutsche Welle, Thai security officials stated Wednesday that five Uyghurs detained in Thailand since 2014 are currently facing Chinese arrest warrants. Chaipruak Doungprapat, secretary-general of Thailand's National Security Council, noted that the five individuals do not hold refugee status and that if China submits an extradition request, the Thai Foreign Ministry will evaluate it before a court rules on the matter.

The report states that the five men were imprisoned after attempting to flee an immigration detention center in 2020. Under Thai law, they must complete their sentences before being deported. Last month, two of them received a Thai pardon and were transferred to an immigration detention facility.

Legal Procedures and Responses

According to Deutsche Welle, Chaipruak stated that if the court finds them guilty, they will be handed over to the Chinese side in accordance with the extradition treaty. Furthermore, Thailand is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, though it remains bound by the principle of non-refoulement. A foreign ministry official previously stated that both China and a Western country had requested the handover of the five individuals.

Human Rights Watch warned that these Uyghurs face a significant risk of torture and severe abuse if returned to China and should be allowed to travel to a safe third country. Meanwhile, China has strongly denied allegations regarding its policies in Xinjiang, stating that the policies have promoted economic development and eradicated extremism.

Detainee Wishes and Unverified Details

According to Deutsche Welle, letters written by the two pardoned men and shared by the Peace Rights Foundation indicated that they do not want to return to China and stated that they and their parents would face the death penalty if sent back. Foundation President Kannavee Suebsang stated that the two men expressed a desire to be resettled in a third country to a Thai human rights commissioner on Wednesday.

The foundation reported that defense lawyers have been unable to meet with the two men since they were transferred to the immigration detention center on October 21. The final judicial ruling regarding extradition and specific diplomatic communications remain subject to further developments.

Other reports on this event

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RFI 中文 · 2026-11-04Thai Court to Decide on Repatriating Detained Uyghurs

According to RFI Chinese, five Uyghurs detained in Thailand since 2014 face Chinese arrest warrants, and a Thai court will decide whether to deport them. Human rights groups and the detainees have expressed grave concerns and opposition to a potential return.

Detention Background and Legal Status

According to RFI Chinese, Thai National Security Council Secretary-General Chaipruak Doungprapat stated on Wednesday that five Uyghur men detained in Thailand since 2014 face arrest warrants in China, adding that a court will decide whether they are deported.

The report notes that they were part of a group of over 300 Uyghurs detained in 2014. They were imprisoned for attempting to escape an immigration detention center in 2020 and had to complete their sentences. Two of them were granted royal pardons last month and remain in immigration detention.

Official Statements and Diplomatic Engagement

Chaipruak stated that all five have arrest warrants in China and lack refugee status, explaining that if China requests extradition, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs will evaluate the request and the court will make a ruling. If found guilty, they would be handed over; if they win, it depends on third-country acceptance.

Previously, Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Zhang Jianwei met with Chaipruak, discussing judicial enforcement and tourism security. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning declined to provide specific details on the men's whereabouts, stating that China-Thailand cooperation on transnational crimes complies with laws and international practices.

Human Rights Concerns and Detainee Demands

The report notes that although Thailand is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, it remains bound by the principle of non-refoulement. Human Rights Watch warned that Uyghurs face a significant risk of torture and severe abuse in China, urging that they be allowed to travel to a safe third country.

Letters from the two pardoned men, provided via the Peace Rights Foundation, stated they refuse to return to China, warning they would face the death penalty. Foundation head Kannavee Suebsang stated lawyers have been unable to meet the detained men since October 21, and the two told a human rights commissioner they wish to be resettled in a third country.

RFI 中文 ↗