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Concern Over Uyghur Detainees in Bangkok: Human Rights Spotlight on Thailand

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The ongoing situation with the detained Uyghurs in Bangkok has found its way into the limelight once again. The national police chief, Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch, has emerged to counter concerns about the treatment of these detainees. His argument? If their conditions were awry, surely media reports would have unveiled such truths long ago. This statement came in response to Sen Angkhana Neelapaijit’s plea for a Senate committee to be granted access to visit these Uyghurs, amid growing unease over their current living conditions.

Presently, 43 Uyghurs find themselves locked up at the Immigration Bureau (IB) headquarters nestled in the Soi Suan Phlu area of Yannawa district. Meanwhile, another five are incarcerated, grappling with criminal charges. The chairwoman of the Senate committee on political development, public participation, human rights, and consumer protection, Sen Angkhana, shed light on the prevailing apprehension shared by human rights organizations. The prevalent fear is that if these detainees are sent back to China, they might face perilous consequences.

While murmurs of potential deportations have surfaced, the government stands firm in its denials. Sen Angkhana revisited the controversy surrounding the return of 109 Uyghur men to China in 2013 at Beijing’s behest during the Prayut Chan-o-cha administration. The aftermath of their return is shrouded in mystery, as their fate remains an enigma.

The Senate committee has faced roadblocks in their attempts to visit the detainees. Rumor has it that one of the Uyghurs has resorted to a hunger strike, while another tragically passed away last year. A third individual remains hospitalized, gravely ill. “The committee is deeply concerned, particularly about the detainee on a hunger strike, as it raises alarming questions about their access to food,” she advocated. In light of these issues, the committee suggests that the International Red Cross step in, offering guidance on potential repatriation strategies.

Pol Gen Kittharath, however, deflects responsibility, nudging the matter toward IB chief Pol Lt Gen Panumart Boonyalak. The nuance of his suggestion is clear—such matters fall under the IB’s jurisdiction. Nonetheless, he assures that the IB is ready to bolster detention facilities, including introducing exercise regimes and ensuring nutritional adequacy. “They’ve been under detention for a decade. If negligence was at play, it would’ve surfaced long ago,” he insisted.

As for the potential repatriation to China, Pol Gen Kittharath reaffirmed that the Royal Thai Police have not been briefed with any directives or guidelines from the government on this front. He underscored that the handling of foreigners entering the Kingdom illegally must align with the Immigration Act’s stipulations. Detention protocols must also uphold the principles of the rule of law and human rights. He vowed that stringent measures are in place to safeguard and uphold the rights of the detainees.

33 Comments

  1. grower134 January 29, 2025

    Why can’t the Thai government simply let these people go if there’s no concrete evidence against them? Keeping them detained for so long is inhumane!

    • Katie V. January 29, 2025

      I don’t think it’s that simple. Releasing them might lead to diplomatic issues with China.

      • grower134 January 29, 2025

        True, but are human rights negotiable? That’s the real question we need to ask.

      • Ben January 29, 2025

        Governments often prioritize politics over human rights, unfortunately. It’s a sad reality.

    • Justin54 January 29, 2025

      Guess what? Thailand might be afraid of economic repercussions if they stand up to China. It’s all about money and power.

  2. Anna Shields January 29, 2025

    Has anyone even considered that maybe, there are actual charges against some of them? We can’t just assume everyone is innocent.

    • Tahir January 29, 2025

      Even so, why the secrecy? If there are legitimate charges, they should be brought to light. Transparency is key.

  3. Larry D January 29, 2025

    I can’t believe we still have such blatant human rights issues in 2025. Shouldn’t we have evolved beyond this by now?

    • Marcelo January 29, 2025

      You would think so, right? But politics and power games always seem to take precedence.

  4. Lisa F. January 29, 2025

    Those poor people stuck in there for years. I hope they get the justice they deserve.

    • Aaron T January 29, 2025

      Justice seems like a far-fetched dream. It’s not just about what should be done, but who has the power to do it.

  5. Joe January 29, 2025

    If the IB was so sure of their procedures, why is there opposition from senators and human rights groups?

    • Sammy January 29, 2025

      That’s what makes this whole thing suspect! There’s definitely something fishy if they can’t even allow a simple visitation.

    • grower134 January 29, 2025

      Exactly, Joe! When governments start blocking oversight, you know something’s not right.

  6. Nina L January 29, 2025

    What about their repatriation? Can they be safely sent somewhere else other than China?

    • Haley January 29, 2025

      That’s a great idea, but which country would willingly accept them? It’s not so easy.

  7. Omar K January 29, 2025

    The fear of being sent back to China is real and terrifying. We ought to remember what happened in 2013.

  8. Evelyn J. January 29, 2025

    Seems like Pol Gen Kittharath is trying to play the blame game. Redirecting responsibility to the IB isn’t reassuring.

  9. Martin January 29, 2025

    When will we ever learn? History keeps repeating itself because we allow it to.

  10. Kiran Patel January 30, 2025

    How much longer can the Thai government keep this under wraps? The international community is watching.

    • grower134 January 30, 2025

      Hopefully, the international pressure will force some transparency, finally.

  11. Lea D. January 30, 2025

    A decade of detention without clarity on charges or conditions? That’s shocking and utterly unacceptable.

    • Tatiana January 30, 2025

      And yet, it’s happening right under our noses. It’s like they’re forgotten by the world.

  12. R.Tamir January 30, 2025

    I’m just wondering when the hypothetical becomes reality: What if these detainees are forced back to China?

  13. Max Huang January 30, 2025

    Can we just imagine what it takes for someone to go on a hunger strike? It speaks volumes about their desperation.

  14. Natalie G. January 30, 2025

    Who really benefits from the continuous detention of these individuals? Certainly not them or their families!

    • TomB January 30, 2025

      It’s usually about maintaining control or saving face, not about humane treatment.

  15. Caroline January 30, 2025

    Maybe the International Red Cross should have more power to intervene in situations like these.

    • Leo V. January 30, 2025

      Agreed, but that requires countries to actually respect humanitarian organizations, which isn’t always the case.

  16. Vikram January 30, 2025

    I just hope history doesn’t repeat itself. Those men in 2013 still haunt people’s conscience.

  17. Gregory January 30, 2025

    Thailand should focus on its image as a tourist destination, not a human rights violator. Actions like these won’t help.

  18. Veronica M. January 30, 2025

    There’s clearly a lot more to this story than what’s being told. Hopefully, the truth will surface.

    • David R January 30, 2025

      If the media won’t hold them accountable, then who will?

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