Exclusive: Canada and US Offered Uyghurs in Thailand Asylum Before Deportation to China, Sources Say
Canada and the United States offered to resettle 48 ethnic Uyghurs held in detention in Thailand over the past decade, but Bangkok took no action for fear of upsetting China. The group was covertly deported to China despite calls from United Nations human rights experts, who warned they would be at risk of torture, ill-treatment, and "irreparable harm." Thailand's decision has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights groups.
- The case highlights the complex dynamics between powerful nations and small countries like Thailand, where diplomatic pressure can sometimes lead to a country prioritizing its economic ties over human rights obligations.
- What role do international organizations like the United Nations play in holding countries accountable for their actions on human rights issues, particularly when those organizations face resistance from powerful actors?