US imposes sanctions on Thai officials over Uighur deportations
The United States has imposed sanctions on several Thai officials for deporting over 40 Uighurs to China, despite concerns that they could face persecution. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the visa restrictions on individuals involved in or complicit with the deportations, although the specific officials have not been named. This action follows years of criticism of China for alleged human rights abuses against the Uighurs, a Muslim minority group in Xinjiang, China.
Rubio emphasized that the U.S. is committed to opposing China’s pressure on other countries to return Uighurs, a group that faces risks of torture and forced disappearances upon repatriation. In response, Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs defended its actions, stating that China assured them the deported individuals would not be harmed. Thailand also reiterated its commitment to humanitarian efforts, highlighting its long-standing history of providing assistance to displaced persons.
Despite the Thai government’s reassurance, Rubio strongly condemned the deportations, condemning China's treatment of Uighurs, including forced labor and torture. The Chinese embassy in Bangkok described the deported individuals as “smuggled” persons who had been repatriated after spending years in Thailand. Rubio, a vocal critic of China's policies, has been previously sanctioned by the Chinese government for his advocacy on Uighur rights and support for Hong Kong.
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