Thailand’s Vice Foreign Minister acknowledged offers from other countries to resettle 40 Uyghurs before their deportation to China, reversing previous official statements. The proposals were deemed “unrealistic” due to potential retaliation from China. Human rights groups have expressed concern over the deportation, contradicting the Thai government’s claims of safety assurances from China.
On March 6, Thailand’s Vice Foreign Minister Russ Jalichandra admitted that other countries had offered to resettle 40 detained Uyghurs prior to their recent deportation to China. This acknowledgment constitutes a departure from earlier statements by Thai officials regarding the situation. Jalichandra described the proposals as unrealistic, indicating that accepting them could lead to backlash from China, significantly affecting the livelihoods of many Thai citizens.
The repatriation of the Uyghurs to China occurred on February 27, despite warnings from the United States, the United Nations, and various human rights organizations regarding potential torture risks in Xinjiang. Thailand claimed that the repatriation was voluntary and followed a formal request from Beijing, which included assurances of the Uyghurs’ safety.
Jalichandra’s remarks followed claims by Thai opposition MP Kannavee Suebsang that countries such as the U.S., Sweden, and Australia had shown willingness to accept the Uyghurs for resettlement. Kannavee criticized the Thai government for claiming that no countries were prepared to accept the refugees. This statement was part of a broader discussion highlighting Thailand’s previous misconceptions regarding international offers for resettlement.
A spokesperson from the U.S. State Department confirmed that offers to resettle the Uyghurs had been extended in the past. The spokesperson indicated that the United States had worked with Thailand for years to prevent such scenarios and emphasized that past offers included the U.S. as a potential host for the Uyghurs.
The treatment of Uyghurs in China has raised concern globally due to reported human rights violations, including their detention in concentration camps, a situation that the Chinese government denies. China responded to the recent deportation, asserting that the 40 Uyghurs would be reunited with their families and appropriately resettled.
Organizations like the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned the Thai government’s action, labeling it as an delivery of Uyghurs to oppressive authorities. CAIR’s Deputy Director, Edward Ahmed Mitchell, criticized the silence from many Muslim governments regarding this issue, attributing it to China’s extensive influence.
Abdulhakim Idris of the Uyghur Research Center noted the public silence from Muslim-majority countries, such as Indonesia and Malaysia, both of which are ASEAN members that generally prioritize non-interference in internal politics. Idris suggested that the dominance of China as an economic powerhouse contributes significantly to the fear and silence from these nations regarding human rights violations against the Uyghurs.
Idris pointed out the hypocrisy in the response to global incidents disparaging Islam, stating, “Whenever a small incident insulting Muslims occurs anywhere in the world, Muslims typically criticize it from all sides on social media. Yet, when 40 Uyghurs were thrown into the mouth of the dragon, they said nothing.”
As of March 6, no response had been obtained from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation concerning Thailand’s deportation of the Uyghurs, leaving a significant gap in the international Muslim community’s reaction to this controversial act.
In summary, Thailand’s recent acknowledgment of offers from other nations to resettle 40 Uyghurs signifies a shift in the government’s stance on refugee repatriation. The Thai government faced international criticism for prioritizing relations with China over Uyghurs’ safety, amid concerns for their human rights. The apparent complacency and silence from several Muslim-majority countries during this humanitarian crisis highlight a troubling dynamic influenced by China’s regional dominance. The absence of a clear stance from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation further underscores the need for a united response among Muslim nations regarding such grave concerns.
Original Source: www.benarnews.org
