Bangkok/Beijing, Feb 27 (EFE).—Thailand deported 40 Uyghurs to China on Thursday, despite appeals from the UN and human rights organizations to halt the move.
The deportation, carried out under an agreement with Beijing, comes after the Uyghurs had been held in Thailand for a decade.
“I believe it is a normal procedure to repatriate those considered illegal immigrants… and the Uyghur are no different. They must be returned. How many more years should they remain detained? 11, 12, 13? They are human beings. They should be able to return,” Thai Police Chief Kittirat Panpetch said at a press conference.
Confirmation of the deportation followed hours of speculation about a secretive operation. Earlier, the same police chief had refused to disclose details, citing national security concerns.
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