Geneva, Feb 28 (NationPress) United Nations specialists have raised grave concerns regarding the forcible deportation of 40 Uyghur men from Thailand to China, which occurred a year ago due to Beijing's pressure. The current status, health, and future of these men are still unknown.

“These disappearances illustrate a wider trend of transnational repression aimed at ethnic and religious minorities, as well as individuals viewed as critical of the Chinese Government,” the specialists noted.

They pointed out that on February 27, 2025, Thai authorities deported the 40 men to China, allegedly under significant pressure from the Chinese Government, failing to adhere to the necessary safeguards mandated by international law, including the principle of non-refoulement.

The deportations place these individuals at risk of severe human rights violations such as enforced disappearance, torture, and arbitrary deprivation of life.

According to the experts, prior to their forced return, these men had been held incommunicado for over a decade in Bangkok’s Suan Phlu Immigration Detention Centre, where they endured poor conditions and had no contact with their families, legal counsel, or the outside world.

“Despite China’s response, the absence of reliable, comprehensive, and independently verified information regarding these men’s fate and location is deeply troubling. Families have received no updates, confirmations of their detention status, or indications of whether their loved ones are alive,” the experts stated.

“We are disheartened that these forced returns from Thailand occurred despite urgent and repeated pleas from the United Nations, international human rights bodies, Thailand’s National Human Rights Commission, and various civil society organizations,” they added.

The experts further remarked, “We are astonished by the ongoing and relentless practice of forced returns and transnational repression, which blatantly violates international human rights law and disregards fundamental human values and dignity.”

Referring to credible reports and numerous victim accounts, they stated that Chinese authorities systematically subject the relatives of detainees and local communities to intensive surveillance, monitoring their movements, communications, and social interactions.

“This pervasive oversight fosters a climate of fear, preventing many families from seeking information about their loved ones or speaking out publicly due to the fear of reprisals,” the experts explained.

“Denying legal access while intimidating families into silence enables serious human rights violations to occur without oversight,” they cautioned. “Silencing relatives not only exacerbates their suffering but also hinders genuine accountability. Justice cannot be pursued in silence.”

The experts urged China to ensure the safety and welfare of the 40 Uyghur returnees by providing independent monitors with unrestricted access and guaranteeing that families and local communities are not left in a state of fear and uncertainty.