By Fatma Younis
Two Uyghur men detained in Thailand for over a decade are appealing not to be deported to China, fearing abuse or torture. They made their plea to Thailand's National Human Rights Commission on Wednesday, according to a source familiar with the meeting.
Background of Detention
The two men, aged 26 and 35, were among more than 300 Uyghurs arrested by Thai authorities in 2014 near the Malaysian border while fleeing China. China has consistently demanded their return, labeling them terrorists. Uyghurs are a predominantly Muslim Turkic ethnic group from China's Xinjiang region, where a government crackdown has drawn international condemnation.
Direct Appeals to Authorities
In a letter shared by former lawmaker Kannavee Suebsang, one of the men wrote in English: "Every time we are worrying from China to take back us. We aren't terrorist." The men also submitted a similar plea in person to the Office of the National Human Rights Commission on Wednesday.
Thai Government Response
National Security Council chief Chaipruak Doungprapat said Wednesday that China must file a formal extradition request for the men to be returned. He stated that courts would decide on deportation, unlike the case of 40 Uyghur men sent to China last year, and that the men would be able to defend themselves. A favorable ruling could allow resettlement in a third country.
Chinese Position
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning declined to confirm whether an extradition request had been made. She said cooperation between China and Thailand on cross-border crimes, including illegal immigration, complies with both countries' laws and international practice.
Previous Deportations and Rights Concerns
Thailand deported 109 Uyghurs to China in 2015, sparking international outcry. In February 2025, another 40 were returned despite pleas from the detainees, Thai lawmakers, and UN officials. The fate of those 40 men remains unknown. Opposition lawmaker Sasinan Thamnithinan said Thailand is obligated under domestic and international law not to return individuals to a country where they could face torture.
Human Rights Commission Findings
Thailand's National Human Rights Commission said last year that officials failed to provide evidence that the previous group consented to return voluntarily or assurances of their safety. The commission called the voluntary return claim "one-sided" given documented reports of torture in Xinjiang.
