East Turkistan Government in Exile Condemns Deportation Plans

The East Turkistan Government in Exile has strongly criticized Thailand and Turkiye for their reported plans to deport Uyghur asylum seekers and refugees back to China. They argue that such actions violate international law and would make these countries complicit in the ongoing genocide against the Uyghur people.

Concerns Over Deportation

For over 13 years, 48 Uyghur asylum seekers have been detained in Thailand under harsh conditions. Reports suggest they face imminent deportation to China. Similarly, Turkiye, once a refuge for Uyghurs, is now detaining and threatening to deport many Uyghur refugees, putting them at risk of persecution.

International Law and Human Rights

The government in exile emphasized that East Turkistan is not part of China but is under Chinese colonial rule. Deporting Uyghurs would subject them to severe human rights abuses, including imprisonment and torture. This would violate the principle of non-refoulement, a key aspect of international refugee law.

Call for Global Action

The East Turkistan Government in Exile has urged the United Nations and democratic nations like the United States, Canada, the European Union, and Japan to protect Uyghur refugees. They call for urgent action to facilitate asylum and resettlement in safe countries.

Global Human Rights Issue

The persecution of Uyghurs in China, especially in Xinjiang, involves severe human rights abuses. These include mass detentions, forced labor, and cultural repression. International bodies have labeled these actions as genocide, while China denies these claims.