Thai Court Hears Petition for Detained Uyghurs’ Release

A Thai court convened on Friday to consider the fate of 43 Uyghurs who have been detained for over a decade, amid concerns they could be deported to China where they face risks of torture, RFA reported. Rights groups have reported that Thai authorities may be coercing detainees into forms for deportation, a claim Thailand denies. Lawyer Chuchart Kanpai argued that the men have served their sentences for illegal entry and should be released due to deteriorating detention conditions.

Witnesses, including Uyghur community members, testified about the dire health of the detainees, with one stating, “Those inside are in terrible condition, as if slowly awaiting death.” The petition calls for a review under Thailand’s Criminal Procedure Code to assess the legality of the detainees’ continued imprisonment. The case has drawn attention from several embassies and the United Nations, which have urged Thailand not to deport the Uyghurs.