The United States has expressed strong condemnation of Thailand's decision to forcibly return at least 40 Uyghurs to China. According to a statement from Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, the returned individuals face a lack of due process rights and potential persecution, forced labor, and torture in China.
Rubio emphasized the longstanding alliance between the United States and Thailand while expressing concern over this action. He noted that it might conflict with Thailand's international obligations under the UN Convention Against Torture and the International Convention on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. "This act runs counter to the Thai people’s longstanding tradition of protection for the most vulnerable and is inconsistent with Thailand’s commitment to protect human rights," he stated.
The statement also addressed China's treatment of Uyghurs under the Chinese Communist Party. Rubio accused China of committing genocide and crimes against humanity targeting predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang. He called on Chinese authorities to allow full access for verifying the well-being of those returned regularly.
Furthermore, Rubio urged all governments where Uyghurs seek refuge not to forcibly return them to China. He insisted that "the Thai Government must insist and fully verify continuously that Chinese authorities protect the Uyghurs’ human rights."