Thai government tour of China’s Xinjiang region after deportation of 40 Uyghurs

Link to the program recording here.

A delegation of Thai officials and local media visited northwest China’s Xinjiang autonomous region between March 19 and 21 in a bid to calm concerns about possible mistreatment of a group of 40 Uyghurs who were deported from Thailand in a secretive pre-dawn operation late last month.

The deportation the Uyghurs, who have been detained by Thai immigration for more than a decade, drew strong rebukes from Western countries, particularly the US, along with human rights groups.  

Thailand has insisted that the deportation was lawful and mindful of humanitarian concerns, while China has reassured Bangkok that the Uyghurs will be safe.

The Thai delegation included Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong and Secretary General of the National Security Council Chatchai Bangchuad, and a small pool of local Thai media.

Join us at the FCCT clubhouse for a panel discussion on what this all means and an update on the overall Uyghur situation in China.

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Speakers include:

Adrian Zenz, senior fellow and director in China Studies at the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation.

Abdulhakim Idris, executive director of the Center for Uyghur Studies in Washington D.C.

Chalida Tajaroeunsuk, chairperson, People's Empowerment Foundation (PEF).

Sunai Phasuk, senior researcher, Thailand, Human Rights Watch.

Rushan Abbas, founder and executive director of the campaign for Uyghurs, will address the event with a short video message.

Representative from the Thai government to be confirmed.

Moderator: Phil Robertson, FCCT board member.

Interpretation from English into Thai is available.