US imposes visa restrictions on Thai officials involved in forced return of Uyghurs

WASHINGTON

The US on Friday announced a new visa restriction policy targeting current and former foreign officials involved in the forced return of Uyghurs to China, where Washington says they face “genocide and crimes against humanity.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the policy would be implemented immediately, with visa restrictions imposed on current and former Thai government officials linked to the deportation of 40 Uyghurs from Thailand to China on Feb. 27.

"We are committed to combating China’s efforts to pressure governments to forcibly return Uyghurs and other groups to China, where they are subject to torture and enforced disappearances," Rubio said in a statement.

"In light of China’s longstanding acts of genocide and crimes against humanity committed against Uyghurs, we call on governments around the world not to forcibly return Uyghurs and other groups to China," he said.

Late last month, Rubio condemned Thailand for the deportations, warning that Uyghurs face persecution, forced labor, and torture in China, where they “lack due process rights.”

Rights groups, including Human Rights Watch (HRW), as well as the UN previously urged Thailand not to repatriate the Uyghurs forcibly as they face a high likelihood of severe human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance and torture, if returned to China.

In January, Rubio—who was a staunch advocate for Uyghurs as a US senator—vowed to pressure Bangkok to halt deportations.

Xinjiang is home to more than 10 million Uyghurs. The Turkic Muslim group has long accused China of cultural, religious and economic discrimination. Beijing has consistently denied allegations of human rights abuses, calling US accusations interference in its internal affairs.