Uyghur beat-up
Re: "Govt draws flak for deporting Uyghurs", (BP, March 1).
After completing 10 years of incarceration for their illegal entry, and at the request of their country of citizenship China, the Thai government has returned the Uyghurs to their homeland.
This action by the government follows the bilateral agreement in place between Thailand and China and should be viewed as honouring our international agreements. It is also part and parcel of Thailand receiving assistance from China to combat call centre scams by Chinese gangs: a criminal and high human suffering issue that has high priority.
The hysteria displayed by Western governments and their media follows a familiar pattern that has become tiringly repetitive, clearly aimed at trying to contain China in every dimension -- even if only in Western media.
Despite attempts to link this issue to Thailand's interests in human rights on the US Department of State's website, it holds no real Thai domestic political interest and will not win an election for any politician. The fact that it was brought up in the recent confidence vote indicates the opposition party either has no better domestic issues to raise or is more influenced by Western countries' agendas than we imagined. Think recent exposure of USAID or NED.
Unlike Chinese call-centre gangs, these returnees will, at a minimum, be reunited with their families and given a chance to contribute to society.
Despite vocal criticism from some Western countries regarding Thailand's execution of this bilateral agreement, none of these countries openly offered to accept these Uyghurs as immigrants -- especially those making the loudest noise.
It's unclear what the specific complaints are intended on the US Department of State's webpage condemning Thailand "in the strongest terms". After completing their sentences, these Uyghurs would become illegal immigrants if they remained in our country. Illegal immigrants in the USA today are being rounded up and forcibly sent home by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The return of these Uyghur was requested by China through diplomatic channels; they were not forcibly returned by the Thai government.
Thailand's Procedure for Cooperation between States in the Execution of Penal Sentences Act, which is the basis for this Uyghur returns, is signed with 38 countries and can be readily found online. The agreement has been invoked by Australia, the UK, Japan, and the USA without any objections from China or other non-involved Western countries regarding the possibility of mistreatment of individuals repatriated after committing criminal offences in Thailand.
Notwithstanding the fact that Muslims in Gaza were carpet-bombed by US-supplied arms, resulting in the deaths of 50,000 people, including 18,000 children, and leaving 100,000 more injured and all of Gaza homeless, Western media are still professing their love for Chinese Muslims and bringing up the "possibilities" that these 40 Chinese may suffer persecution, forced labour, and torture.
Despite zero evidence shown -- no mass graves, no pictures of torture, only satellite images of buildings -- these Xinjiang allegations continue.
Last month, a US District Judge ruled DOGE has the right to carry out its duties because the baseless anticipation of possible wrongdoing is not a sufficient basis for a cease and desist court order. While the US court gives no weight to baseless allegations, the US-led media continues to poison the well worldwide with its Xinjiang narratives.
It is in our interest to honour our bilateral agreements with all countries, including this one with China. Non-involved countries have no right (for their self-interest) to condemn or threaten Thailand for carrying out its international and humane obligations and building regional relationships.
