A group of Uyghur men detained in Thailand for over a decade claim that Thai authorities are planning to deport them to China, reports AP.,

Activists and family members warn that these men face a high risk of persecution, including abuse and torture, if returned.

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In a letter obtained by the Associated Press, 43 Uyghur men in detention in Bangkok issued a public plea to prevent what they described as an imminent deportation. "We could be imprisoned, and we might even lose our lives," the letter stated, urging international organisations and nations to act swiftly to prevent a "tragic fate."

The Uyghurs, a Turkic, predominantly Muslim ethnic group native to China's Xinjiang region, have long faced discrimination and suppression from Beijing. A sweeping crackdown by the Chinese government, described as genocide by some Western nations, has led to the detention of hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs in camps and prisons, where reports of abuse, disease, and deaths have emerged.

In 2014, Thai authorities detained over 300 Uyghurs fleeing China near the Malaysian border. In 2015, 109 were forcibly returned to China, sparking international condemnation, while 173 women and children were sent to Turkey. Fifty-three Uyghurs remained in Thai detention, with five dying over the years, including two children.

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Currently, 48 detainees remain in custody, five of whom are serving sentences after a failed escape attempt. Advocates describe dire conditions in detention, including overcrowding, inadequate food, poor sanitation, and restrictions on contact with families, lawyers, and international organisations. The treatment may violate international law, according to a 2024 letter from UN human rights experts to the Thai government.

Thai immigration police claim they are doing their best to care for the detainees. However, records obtained by the AP show that on January 8, officials asked the detainees to sign voluntary deportation papers, reminiscent of documents presented to those deported in 2015. The detainees refused.

Sources told the AP that Thai authorities are discussing deportations, with some officials reportedly favouring the move due to the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations with China and expectations of muted backlash from the U.S. amid its presidential transition. Neither the Thai nor Chinese foreign ministries responded to requests for comment.

China accuses the Uyghurs of being jihadists but has provided no evidence. Rights groups and Uyghur activists insist the detainees are innocent and warn that deportation could lead to imprisonment or death in China. "There’s no evidence that these 43 Uyghurs have committed any crime," said Peter Irwin of the Uyghur Human Rights Project. "They have the right not to be deported."

Relatives and advocates express growing concern. Bilal Ablet, whose brother is among the detainees, described constant fear and frustration. "World governments know about this but seem to ignore it due to Chinese pressure," he said. Despite Thai claims that no other country is willing to accept the Uyghurs, an April 2023 letter from Thailand's Human Rights Commission noted that some countries are ready to resettle them.

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Abdullah Muhammad, a Uyghur in Turkey, shared his anguish over his father, one of the detainees. "My father crossed into Thailand illegally but has committed no other crime," he said. "Why are they doing this? We have no connection to terrorism."

Although all detainees have submitted asylum applications to the UN refugee agency, the Thai government has barred UN access to them. The UNHCR did not respond to requests for comment.

On Saturday, the detention centre where the Uyghurs are held was quiet, with a guard stating it was closed until Monday. Meanwhile, concerns over their safety continue to grow.