Two prisoners prefer to stay in a Thai prison – and not return home

Two Uyghur men held in Thailand for over a decade plead not to be extradited to China for fear of torture. Thai authorities clarify that their deportation will only be possible after an official request from China and a court decision, while human rights organizations warn of a repeat of the case of 40 Uyghurs who were deported last year and disappeared.

Two Muslim men from the Uyghur minority, held in Thailand since 2014, appealed yesterday (Wednesday) to the authorities not to extradite them to China for fear of torture and persecution. The two, aged 26 and 35, were released from prison at the end of October and now fear deportation. Thailand's National Security Council clarified that extradition will only take place subject to an official request from China and a court decision. Human rights organizations warn of a repeat of the case of 40 Uyghurs who were deported last year and whose traces have disappeared. In a letter published by former lawmaker Kanavee Suabsang, one of the detainees described the ongoing fear. An opposition parliamentarian called on the government to respect international law. The head of the National Security Council promised a full judicial process. The fear is based on past precedents: in 2015, Thailand deported 109 men to China, and in February 2025, 40 more were deported, despite UN warnings. A Human Rights Commission report determined that no evidence of free consent was provided.