International pressure is mounting on Thailand – including from the new US administration – over the fate of dozens of Uyghur men held in detention for more than a decade, following reports the Thai government planned to deport the group to China.

On January 22, 2025, several UN experts published a statement indicating that the Government of Thailand must immediately halt the possible transfer of 48 Uyghurs

The UN indicated Friday it was urging Thailand not to send dozens of detained Uyghurs to any country where they risk “significant” harm, after reported plans to deport them to China. Rights groups have warned that Bangkok is preparing to deport imminently a group of 48 members of China’s mostly Muslim Uyghur minority,

Authorities in Thailand on Wednesday denied there was an immediate plan to send back to China 48 Uyghurs held in the Southeast Asian country's detention centers after United Nations experts warned that the group could face torture if they return.

BANGKOK: Thai authorities denied on Wednesday (Jan 22) there was an immediate plan to send back to China 48 Uyghurs held in the country's detention centres, after UN experts warned the group could face torture if they return.

The UN experts also called on Thailand, which is a member of the UN Human Rights Council, to respect its obligations under international law. “The prohibition on refoulement prohibits the return ...

The experts’ statement comes less than a week after Republican Sen. Marco Rubio said he would lobby Thailand against deporting the 48 Uyghurs to China during a hearing on his nomination for the post of U.S. secretary of state, which he was confirmed for on Monday.

The has UN urged Thailand to halt deportation of 47 Uyghurs to China due to risks of torture and non-refoulement violations. Right groups signals potential preparations for deportation, although Thai authorities deny immediate plans.

In this undated photo provided Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, by the North Korean government, Kim Jong Un, second right, inspects a facility that produces nuclear material

Humanitarian organisations and UN agencies say they could face drastic curbs on their ability to distribute food, shelter and healthcare if the freeze becomes permanent

Chinese travelers are canceling plans to visit Thailand during the Lunar New Year holiday, as fears over human trafficking reverberate across the country.

Thailand denies abusing a jailed gambling tycoon fighting extradition to China over charges he ran illegal online gambling operations in Southeast Asia, the country's justice minister said on Tuesday (Jan 28).