“Hardly documented information is available on the treatment of the Uyghur minority in China,” the independent experts appointed by the Human Rights Council said in a statement released Tuesday.
“We are concerned that the Uighur people are at grave risk of irreparable harm.”
These human rights experts emphasized the international ban on the forced deportation of Uyghurs to China. This ban prevents individuals from returning to countries where they face a real risk of torture or ill-treatment.
He urged Thailand to provide immediate medical care to the majority of detained Uyghurs, who are mostly Muslim.
The 48 men are part of a group of 350 Uighurs who were detained in Thailand in 2014 for crossing the border irregularly and have been in custody since then.
He has been detained in an undisclosed location for more than a decade, without legal representation or access to family members or UN officials.
No return
“We believe these people should not be sent back to China,” these human rights experts said.
“They should be provided with shelter procedures and humanitarian assistance, including medical and psycho-social support.”
Experts stressed that 23 of the 48 Uighurs detained were suffering from serious health problems, including diabetes, kidney failure and paralysis.
“It is imperative that he receives proper medical care,” the experts said.
Thai authorities are urged to treat all detainees with humanity and dignity
Authorities have also been reminded of their responsibility to provide these Uighurs with legal representation, medical assistance and access to lawyers and family members.
The plea from human rights experts highlights the urgent need for Thailand to uphold international human rights standards and protect Uyghur prisoners from potential harm.
Special Rapporteurs and independent human rights experts are not employees of the United Nations, receive no remuneration from the United Nations for their work, and are completely independent of any government or agency.