On Thursday, the United States criticised the Thai government for deporting 40 Uyghur refugees to China. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for the Uyghurs to be “treated with dignity” and safeguard their rights.

Rubio wrote on X, “Thailand forcibly returned a group of Uyghurs to China. As a longstanding ally of Thailand, we are alarmed by this action, which runs afoul of its international obligations.” “The US condemns this action. We urge the Thai government to ensure and verify that the Uyghurs are treated with dignity and that their rights are protected,” he continued.

The East Turkistan Government in Exile (ETGE) strongly condemned Thailand for aiding China’s persecution of Uyghurs by forcibly deporting 40 Uyghur refugees to East Turkistan.

In a statement, ETGE provided details of the deportation, stating, “A recent China Southern Airlines flight (CSN5246), operating on the morning of February 27, 2025, was documented travelling from Bangkok, Thailand (DMK) to Kashgar, East Turkistan (KHG).”

“This direct transfer of Uyghurs from Thailand to Chinese-occupied East Turkistan is irrefutable proof that the Thai government is actively collaborating with the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in its systematic campaign of genocide and crimes against humanity against the Uyghur people,” it further states.

It is not the first instance of Thailand assisting China in Uyghur persecution. In 2015, over 100 Uyghur refugees were deported, with many later disappearing, being imprisoned, or executed by the Chinese government.

“Thailand’s shameless refoulement of Uyghur refugees is a direct contribution to China’s ongoing genocide in East Turkistan. By handing innocent Uyghur refugees to a regime that is committing genocide and crimes against humanity, Thailand has stained its hands with the blood of the Uyghur people and must face immediate consequences,” said Mamtimin Ala, the exiled president of the East Turkistan government.

The East Turkistan Government in Exile has urged governments, human rights organisations, international bodies and media outlets to expose and strongly condemn Thailand’s role in facilitating China’s Uyghur genocide.

According to their statement, the Thai government should not be allowed to support acts of genocide and crimes against humanity without facing consequences. They warned that without decisive international action, Uyghur refugees in other countries could be at serious risk of being forcibly returned, potentially leading to their deaths. The statement called for immediate sanctions, diplomatic repercussions, and full accountability.