Investigative leader of non-governmental organization visits imprisoned Uyghurs for inquiry
Uyghur Detainees in Thailand: What's Happening Now?
Have you heard about the plight of seven Uyghur individuals currently locked up in Thai prisons? That's right, the People's Empowerment Foundation is throwing some weight behind their struggle, expressing serious concerns.
Chalida Tajaroensuk, the chairperson of this civil society group, spilled the beans on Monday when she told our website about the situation. She divided the seven Uyghurs into two groups for us.
The first group, a brave bunch of five, were nabbed in 2020 for allegedly burglarizing a detention center in Mukdahan. Now, they're serving six-year stints in the Klongprem Central Prison in Bangkok. According to Chalida, she swung by the joint before the recent Songkran holiday to check up on their welfare. And get this, these five Uyghurs aren't planning on catching the next one-way ticket to China, as they've indicated they have lawyers to represent their case[2][4].
But here's the tea: Chalida's crew has been scrambling to get in touch with various embassies to see if they can strike a deal for a third-country resettlement before these five Uyghurs are booted out of Thailand and shipped back to their homeland[2][4].
Now, here's the kicker—Chalida revealed that these five Uyghurs have only a year left before their prison terms end[2][4]. Some embassies have already shown interest, asking for information so they can prepare a resettlement report for their respective foreign affairs ministries[2][4]. Chalida has scheduled another visit to these five Uyghurs in early next month to catch up on their livelihood and find out what help they might need[2][4].
Switching gears, we've got the second group, composed of two Uyghurs who are holed up in Bangkok Remand Prison, awaiting trial over their shady involvement in the Erawan Shrine bombing from 2015[4]. Their next trial hearing is slated for next month. Oh, and the judges overseeing the case want this baby wrapped up this year, but the suspects don't seem too keen on that, as they'd rather keep their case open while avoiding deportation back to China[4].
And guess what? No foreign embassies have reached out yet for a chat about a third-country resettlement for this group, as they're suspected to have ties to a terrorist attack. Yikes! On the bright side, though, these two Uyghurs feel that staying in a Thai prison is a walk in the park compared to what awaits them in China[4].
Lastly, Kannavee Suebsang, a Fair List Party list-MP, has his eyes on the five Uyghurs detained at Klongprem Central Prison. If they're eager for a third-country resettlement, Kannavee is down to collaborate with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to make it happen[4]. However, Kannavee has chosen to stay tight-lipped about the Uyghurs linked to the Erawan Shrine bombing case, as it's still wending its way through the court system[4].
In the past, out of 43 Uyghurs who had been nabbed at Suan Phlu Immigration Centre, 40 were shipped off to China. The remaining three held onto Kyrgyz passports and were transported to Canada[4].
Key Points:
- Group 1: Five Uyghurs in Klongprem Central Prison, serving six-year sentences. They've expressed a desire not to be deported to China, and efforts are being made to secure a resettlement in a third country.
- Group 2: Two Uyghurs in Bangkok Remand Prison, awaiting trial for their involvement in the Erawan Shrine bombing case. They have indicated a preference for their case to remain open to avoid deportation to China.
- Involvement in Erawan Shrine Bombing Case: No reported involvement for Group 2 detainees.
- Resettlement Efforts: Ongoing for Group 1 detainees; some embassies have shown interest.
- The People's Empowerment Foundation is expressing grave concerns about the seven Uyghurs detained in Thai prisons, five of whom are currently serving six-year sentences in Klongprem Central Prison.
- Chalida Tajaroensuk, the chairperson of the People's Empowerment Foundation, disclosed that her team is actively trying to facilitate a third-country resettlement for these five Uyghurs before their prison terms end in a year.
- In a separate development, two Uyghurs are detained in Bangkok Remand Prison, awaiting trial for their alleged involvement in the 2015 Erawan Shrine bombing.
- The judges overseeing the trial want the case resolved this year, but the suspects prefer to keep it open to avoid potential deportation to China.
- Kannavee Suebsang, a Fair List Party list-MP, has proposed collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to facilitate a third-country resettlement for the five Uyghurs detained at Klongprem Central Prison, while remaining silent on the Uyghurs linked to the Erawan Shrine bombing case due to ongoing legal proceedings.
