The U.S. has imposed visa sanctions on Thai officials responsible for deporting Uyghurs to China, where they face severe risks of torture and persecution. Secretary Rubio condemned the deportation and reiterated the U.S. designation of China’s actions against Uyghurs as genocide. The sanctions could extend to family members of officials, signaling a tough U.S. response to human rights violations.
On March 14, 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced visa sanctions against Thai officials involved in the recent deportation of 40 Uyghurs back to China. This group had been in immigration detention in Thailand since fleeing persecution in China in 2014. The deportation was widely condemned by the United States, the European Union, the United Nations, and various global human rights organizations, highlighting concerns for the safety of the Uyghurs upon their return to China, where they may face severe human rights violations.
Rubio stated that visa bans would target Thai officials deemed responsible or complicit in this forced return, emphasizing the dangers faced by the Uyghurs in China, such as torture and enforced disappearances. He reiterated the international call for governments to prevent the forcible return of Uyghurs to China, given the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity reported against this ethnic group.
Moreover, the sanctions could extend to the family members of these officials, although the State Department did not disclose the number of individuals affected by the ban. Since 2021, the U.S. has described China’s treatment of Uyghurs as genocide, accusing the Chinese authorities of torture and forced labor, which Beijing dismisses as fabrication, claiming their actions are aimed at promoting development in Xinjiang.
This incident marks a rare point of tension in the historically close relationship between the United States and Thailand. Following the deportation, U.S. diplomats sought to resettle the Uyghurs in the U.S. or other countries, a plea acknowledged by Thai Vice Foreign Minister Russ Jalichandra; however, Thailand ultimately chose to return the Uyghurs to China, fearing retaliation which might adversely affect many Thais.
Rushan Abbas, from the World Uyghur Congress, praised the U.S. visa bans as a necessary consequence for those involved in the deportations. She emphasized that the forced return of Uyghurs to China represents a grave threat to their lives, subjecting them to potential torture and other inhumane conditions. Abbas highlighted that this action sends a powerful message to other nations regarding the ramifications of cooperating with China in such human rights violations.
In conclusion, the U.S. has taken a firm stance against Thailand’s deportation of Uyghurs by imposing visa sanctions on Thai officials involved. This development reflects ongoing international condemnation of China’s treatment of Uyghurs, which the U.S. labels as genocide. The situation underscores the delicate balance in U.S.-Thai relations and the broader implications for global human rights efforts. The actions by the U.S. serve as a warning to other nations against complicity in similar deportations, emphasizing accountability for human rights violations.
Original Source: www.benarnews.org
