Three Uyghur Men Detained in Thailand for Over a Decade Resettled in Canada

Three Uyghur men who were detained in Thailand for more than ten years have been resettled in Canada, confirmed by Thai lawmakers and human rights activists, The Associated Press reported. The men, part of a group of about 300 Uyghurs caught near Thailand’s border with Malaysia in 2014 after fleeing China’s Xinjiang region, were moved during Thailand’s Songkran festival in April 2025.

The Uyghurs, a Turkic Muslim minority facing severe repression in China, have been caught in a diplomatic struggle between Thailand, China, and the U.S. Thailand previously deported 40 Uyghurs back to China in February 2025, sparking international condemnation due to fears of torture and death.

The three men were likely spared forced repatriation because they hold dual citizenship in Kyrgyzstan and China and were detained separately. Advocates continue to urge Thailand to recognize Uyghurs as refugees and allow UNHCR access, warning of severe risks if they are returned to China. Conditions in detention were reportedly harsh, with poor treatment and restricted contact with the outside world.