European Parliament Condemns Thailand's Uyghur Deportations

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Thai PBS

 

In an emphatic motion, the European Parliament has taken a firm stance against Thailand's recent deportation of Uyghur detainees to China, urging the Southeast Asian nation to cease any further forced returns. The deportations in late February have provoked significant concern among international human rights advocates, with allegations that the lives of these individuals might be at grave risk in China.

 

The European Parliament convened on Thursday, highlighting this pressing issue, and has called upon the Thai government to grant the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) uninhibited access to all detained Uyghur asylum seekers. Furthermore, they have demanded transparency regarding the status of these individuals, to prevent any further clandestine deportations.

 

Moreover, the European Parliament has urged Thailand to align its institutional frameworks with international human rights standards. In doing so, it advocates for amnesty for parliamentarians and activists who have faced legal action under Thailand's stringent laws, such as the controversial lese-majesty regulations.

 

In an accompanying call to action, the European Parliament suggested suspending extradition treaties with China until concrete measures ensuring the safety and rights of deported Uyghurs are confirmed. The resolution also demands China honour the fundamental rights of these deportees, urging transparency about their conditions and whereabouts, and allowing the UNHCR access to them to safeguard their welfare.

 

A broader set of recommendations from the European Parliament includes urging Thailand to ratify core conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), thereby reinforcing its commitment to international standards for the protection of human rights.

 

In a bid to leverage its economic ties with Thailand, the European Commission has been called upon to use ongoing free trade agreement negotiations as a platform to pressure Thailand into reforming its lese-majesty laws and releasing political prisoners.

 

The motion, underscoring widespread concern across Europe, was adopted by a significant majority—with 482 votes in favour, 57 against, and 68 abstentions. This decisive action reflects growing global scrutiny over Thailand's human rights practices, especially regarding the treatment of Uyghur asylum seekers.

 

The European Parliament's intervention underscores the urgency for Thailand to reassess its international obligations, amid calls for greater transparency and adherence to global human rights norms. As the situation unfolds, all eyes remain on Thailand's next moves, with international human rights entities poised to respond if necessary, reported Thai PBS.

 

-- 2025-03-14

 

 

[MikeandDow]

Thailand at the cross roads  go with china or forget Europe, if Thailand ratifys the 1951 treaty,  Duterte will have Thaskin in the next cell hopfully

[Tropicalevo]

36 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

Thailand at the cross roads  go with china or forget Europe, if Thailand ratifys the 1951 treaty,  Duterte will have Thaskin in the next cell hopfully

 

Thailand went through those crossroads a while back.

They are firmly in bed with China with no intention of moving away.

They are taking the move slowly so that people get used to it and do not complain.

Europe would have been a better bet than both the USA and China but China had the clout.

Expect to see a lot more Chinese influence here.

[ikke1959]

Not only they condemn the Uyghur deportation but also the prisoners who violated section 112 ..I think that is a good move. as this law is outdated, and abused and surely not conform the Human Rights.

[MikeandDow]

This is a good move it will be a sore in this unelected goverment side, the goverment will try to ignore it like to see them get kicked out

[Aussie999]

and yet, Thailand still holds a seat in the UN Human rights (yes, you read correctly) Commission... go figure.

[ChrisY1]

I'm happy with Thailand' alignment with China. Europe is becoming a pile....poor leadership in several countries...unelected "leader" and obvious war monger of the EU...Britain a basket case led by what is showing to be a war monger...Poland appears to have fallen....France...well, Macron!

China can offer so much for Thailand...just technology there is so advanced....there's no evidence of them being war mongers..they advanced their country, unlike much of Europe and the US,  wasting trillions on never ending wars!

[klauskunkel]

In related news: Thailand sues Europe for severe image tarnishing

[newbee2022]

Wow, that will hurt😂

[Snig27]

4 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Wow, that will hurt😂

 

It probably will as it’s tied to the FTA Thailand has been struggling to get and put a lot of time and energy into for years. 

[hotsun]

Well deserved. Hopefully some reciprocity is in order for thailand

[cookie1974]

Gotta keep the chinese happy, i mean they virtually own Thailand in all but name

[JJ-Thailand]

It is all about pleasing China.

[Coxy]

As if Thailand will care what the EU says.

The EU is collapsing so better they stay with our friends in the North

[PETERTHEEATER]

That'll show 'em.

"Lunch anyone? I hear it's Altas caviare aux Truffes D'Ardenne today"

(stampede)

[Kinok Farang]

Big fuucking deal.Get your own house in order before you start criticising other countries.

[TheFishman1]

European power man they can say whatever they want about Thailand tire has no shame whatever it takes to their master and that’s all they care about TIT

[spidermike007]

The government here will never do the right thing because it's the right thing to do, but occasionally they can be forced to do the right thing due to shame and humiliation.

 

So this is a good technique to use to compel them to do something that's above and beyond their level of total moral bankruptcy. 

[Seagull Sam]

Somebody at least should be making some noises about abuse of  human rights using mediaeval laws in Thailand and kow-towing to Asia's local bully boy. It does the EU no credit that it isn't prepared to do the same with bully boy Trump.

[proton]

1 hour ago, ChrisY1 said:

I'm happy with Thailand' alignment with China. Europe is becoming a pile....poor leadership in several countries...unelected "leader" and obvious war monger of the EU...Britain a basket case led by what is showing to be a war monger...Poland appears to have fallen....France...well, Macron!

China can offer so much for Thailand...just technology there is so advanced....there's no evidence of them being war mongers..they advanced their country, unlike much of Europe and the US,  wasting trillions on never ending wars!

 

China invaded Tibet, Korea and Vietnam, broke a treaty with the UK over Hong Kong and continually threatens to invade Taiwan, seems like war mongering to me. Chinese tech is not as advanced as they pretend it to be.

[ignore it]

Will the deportations be counted as departures by TAT? 

[spidermike007]

The more egg on the face of an unelected, non-democratic, morally bankrupt government, the better. 

[anchadian]

Followed closely by the US Government:

 

Announcement of a Visa Restriction Policy to Address the Forced Return of Uyghurs and Members of Other Ethnic or Religious Groups with Protection Concerns to China

Press Statement

Marco Rubio, Secretary of State

March 14, 2025

 

Today, I am announcing a new visa restriction policy that will apply to current or former foreign government officials responsible for, or complicit in, the forced return of Uyghurs or members of other ethnic or religious groups with protection concerns to China. We are committed to combating China’s efforts to pressure governments to forcibly return Uyghurs and other groups to China, where they are subject to torture and enforced disappearances.

 

I am immediately implementing this policy by taking steps to impose visa restrictions on current and former officials from the Government of Thailand responsible for, or complicit in, the forced return of 40 Uyghurs from Thailand on February 27

 

https://www.state.gov/announcement-of-a-visa-restriction-policy-to-address-the-forced-return-of-uyghurs-and-members-of-other-ethnic-or-religious-groups-with-protection-concerns-to-china/

 

I reckon this affects at the very least the Thai National Security Council that decided to deport the Uyghurs, incl. the PM, the army chief and ministers of Defense, Foreign Affairs, Interior, Justice. In similar sanctions against other countries, it also incl. their families.

 

https://x.com/SaksithCNA/status/1900740333148979373

 

[AustinRacing]

The PM got a good deal she thought. Two pandas for hand-full of refugees. I bet she was proud of it until international community backlash. 

[John Drake]

How many European countries will now work side deals to ignore this EU action and try to get a trade advantage for themselves?