Moolenaar and Krishnamoorthi Urge Thailand to Halt Deportation of Uyghur Refugees to China

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party issued the following joint statement regarding the reported plans by Thai authorities to forcibly deport 48 Uyghur refugees to China:

"We are deeply concerned about Thai authorities’ reported plans to forcibly deport 48 Uyghur refugees to the People’s Republic of China, when third countries are willing to assume custody. If true, this would constitute a clear violation of international human rights norms to which the Kingdom of Thailand is obligated under international law. These individuals face a credible risk of imprisonment, torture, or death upon return to a regime that has systematically persecuted Uyghurs through mass internment, forced labor, and other grave abuses.

"We urge the Thai government to immediately halt these deportations and to allow the Uyghurs to resettle in nations where they will be free from persecution. Moving forward with this action would severely damage U.S.-Thai relations, and the U.S. would be forced to consider all available measures, including sanctions, to hold those complicit in facilitating China’s human rights abuses to account.

"The U.S. remains steadfast in defending Uyghur rights and will hold accountable those who enable their persecution. We urgently call on Thailand to uphold its international obligations and work with the U.S. and international partners to find a humane, lawful resolution for these refugees."