Immigration Final Three Uyghurs Find Freedom in Canada after Decade of Detention in Thailand

[webfact]

FILE: This photo provided by Thailand's daily web newspaper Prachatai shows a truck with black tape covering the windows leave a detention center in Bangkok, Thailand Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025.(Nuttaphol Meksobhon/Prachatai via AP)

 

The last three Uyghur detainees at Bangkok's Suan Phlu Immigration Detention Centre have been resettled in Canada, putting an end to a protracted diplomatic ordeal spanning over a decade. Confounding a recent wave of deportations to China, these individuals found refuge due to passports issued by Kyrgyzstan, according to sources close to the matter.

 

This transfer follows Thailand's controversial decision to deport 40 Uyghurs to China, which sparked international outcry. The remaining ones, who have now settled in Canada, were part of a larger group of about 300 Uyghurs apprehended under Yingluck Shinawatra's administration in March 2014, near the Thai-Malaysian border.

 

The National Council for Peace and Order allowed 173 women and children from this group to seek asylum in Turkey in June 2015. However, the subsequent repatriation of 109 Uyghurs to China at Beijing's behest created waves of international disapproval. Images of hooded individuals escorted by Chinese authorities ignited widespread condemnation.

 

 

 

The plight of the Uyghur detainees at Suan Phlu included harsh living conditions marked by overcrowding, unsanitary environments, and a dearth of essential provisions including food, water, and medical care. Reports indicated they were deprived of halal meals and denied basic healthcare, resulting in deaths during detention over the years.

 

The detainees were allegedly without legal support or contact with family, humanitarian groups, or the UNHCR, significantly hindering their ability to claim asylum status. Recently, Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra repatriated 40 Uyghurs to China, citing assurances of their safety from the Chinese government.

 

The successful resettlement in Canada came after a concerted effort by Uyghur refugees in Australia, who appealed to various embassies to accept the three detainees. Suitably, Canada agreed to the request, and the UNHCR facilitated their transition to a new life in the North American nation.

 

These individuals’ arrival in Canada signifies a conclusion to just one chapter of the broader Uyghur diaspora’s stories of trying times and seeking safety. Whether these measures could lead to a change in treatment of detained ethnic minorities remains to be watched closely.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-04-28

 

 

[spidermike007]

They can rest assured that in Canada the government will not harvest their organs for profit. 

 

Canada rules! 

[newbee2022]

Donald and the world will be very angry. You will pay the bill, fact.

[CecilM]

Three more foreigners, in addition to the 100,000s allowed into Canada, who are eligible for social security, health care, etc and who will likely contribute little to nothing to the country. 

[Will B Good]

 

 

They were offered the chance to go to the US, but flatly refused and said they'd rather go to China.

[hotchilli]

Not sure Canada was such a wise pick...

Unless they just intend to live off the welfare packages.

[Scouse123]

Everywhere around the world, countries are bending over backwards to accommodate Muslims from wherever they hail, usually to the detriment of the native population.

 

However, very little coverage goes to the appalling way Christians are mistreated, beheaded, attacked, in Muslim countries.

 

Non Muslims in Muslim countries have no rights whatsoever.

 

They have no voice and don't exist and are treated and subjected to terror equally, if not more, than anything Muslims have suffered at the hands of non Muslims.

 

But, that must all be ignored and swept under the carpet.

 

Maybe, if Muslims just tried a bit to assimilate where they settle, as opposed to Islamise everywhere they are, or seek special dispensations all the time, based on their ' religion ' , then maybe their lives might be better.

[Scouse123]

3 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Not sure Canada was such a wise pick...

Unless they just intend to live off the welfare packages.

 

Of course, they'll live off benefits and not bother to learn the language or customs, that's what they do.

[Scouse123]

7 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

 

They were offered the chance to go to the US, but flatly refused and said they'd rather go to China.

 

They should have sent them, instead of appeasing them.

 

Muslims always view kindness as weakness and take advantage of every loophole in the host country..

[fredwiggy]

16 minutes ago, CecilM said:

Three more foreigners, in addition to the 100,000s allowed into Canada, who are eligible for social security, health care, etc and who will likely contribute little to nothing to the country. 

You have to work to receive Social Security. To get health care, you need to be a resident. Only some refugees are eligible for assistance.

[connda]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

They can rest assured that in Canada the government will not harvest their organs for profit. 

 

Canada rules! 

But if they become an economic anchor, they may be encouraged to MAID themselves for the benefit of the government and society.

[connda]

1 hour ago, Scouse123 said:

Everywhere around the world, countries are bending over backwards to accommodate Muslims from wherever they hail, usually to the detriment of the native population.

 

However, very little coverage goes to the appalling way Christians are mistreated, beheaded, attacked, in Muslim countries.

 

Non Muslims in Muslim countries have no rights whatsoever.

 

They have no voice and don't exist and are treated and subjected to terror equally, if not more, than anything Muslims have suffered at the hands of non Muslims.

 

But, that must all be ignored and swept under the carpet.

 

Maybe, if Muslims just tried a bit to assimilate where they settle, as opposed to Islamise everywhere they are, or seek special dispensations all the time, based on their ' religion ' , then maybe their lives might be better.

Oh come on.  Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is the US government's Left Hand of power projection in Syria.  Jolani and crew treat Syrian Christians with great love and respect! 

[crazykopite]

Why the others were sent back to China baffles me was a deal done with the Chinese regime maybe a swap deal only those responsible knows what went on !