In brief
A group of Uyghur men detained in Thailand, who fled persecution in China, have begun a hunger strike to protest their potential deportation to China. Despite Thai authorities claiming no plans for their deportation, the detainees remain anxious after previous instances of deportation and demand action to protect their rights.
Dozens of Uyghur men seeking refuge from repression in China have entered the second week of a hunger strike in Bangkok, Thailand. The men, who have been detained in Thai immigration centers for over ten years, are protesting what they believe to be an imminent deportation back to China, where they face the threat of torture and imprisonment. The hunger strike, which commenced on January 10, followed the detainees being handed forms for “voluntary return.” Refusing to sign the documents raised panic among them, as similar circumstances had led to the deportation of 109 Uyghurs by Thailand in 2015. Despite detainees and activists voicing concerns, Thai authorities have denied any intentions of sending them back and claimed there is no ongoing hunger strike.The plight of these Uyghur men shines a spotlight on the persecution of the Uyghur ethnic minority in China, where tight surveillance and mass detentions have been reported since 2014. Many Uyghurs in the Xinjiang region have faced extreme measures, including internment camps, restrictions on personal freedom, and cultural assimilation efforts. The current situation in Thailand highlights the precarious state of many individuals seeking safety from persecution worldwide.
