Press Statement
For Immediate Release
(March 11, 2025)
We strongly condemn the Thai authorities’ recent announcement regarding their planned visit to China on March 18 to assess the situation of Uyghur deportees. This visit is a clear political maneuver designed to justify Thailand’s complicity with China, further endangering the deportees and their families.
For 11 years, Thai authorities showed no compassion for these Uyghurs, detaining them in harsh conditions and ultimately deporting them to China despite their desperate pleas. Now, after years of neglect, Thai authorities claim to be concerned about their well-being. This sudden shift in behavior is both suspicious and alarming.
It is well-documented that China has a history of coercing detainees into staged appearances to mislead the international community. Survivors have recounted being forced to dress up, apply makeup, and pose for fabricated videos showcasing false narratives of safety and well-being. Those who resist face brutal torture, as seen in past cases involving Uyghur deportees from Thailand and Cambodia.
This visit cannot be trusted to provide an honest account of the deportees’ situation. Instead, it risks legitimizing the actions of both the Chinese and Thai governments while Uyghur families continue to suffer. Economic incentives, such as the recent $8.8 billion TikTok investment plan in Thailand, only deepen concerns about Thailand’s true motivations.
We urge the Thai authorities to cancel this visit immediately and cease their attempts to manipulate public perception through political theatrics. Furthermore, we call on the international community to pressure Thailand to uphold its human rights obligations and ensure the safety of Uyghur refugees.
Rebiya Kadeer
Leader of the Uyghur National Movement