The United States places sanctions on Thai officials to send Ouigor to China

The United States imposed visa sanctions on many Thai officials on the surprise Replace 40 uygres to China Last month, there was a rare case of punishment for the countries that brought back the oppressed Muslim minority members despite the warnings that might face a long -term torture and imprisonment upon their return.

The visa restrictions can limit the ability of former and existing Thai officials responsible for Ouigor’s coercive return or collusion to travel to the United States. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not reveal the names of the officials, noting the secrecy.

“We are committed to combating China’s efforts to pressure governments to restore forced Uyghur and other groups to China, where they are subject to torture and enforced disappearance,” Foreign Minister Marco Rubio said in a statement on Friday.

The move came after a day from the European Parliament Decision passed Concluding deportation and calling for Thailand to “stop any other forced returns for refugees to countries where their lives are at risk.”

Dumer ads can be held for the Thai government in a difficult time. The Thai authorities are trying to ward off the possible customs tariff from the United States, as the country has a trade deficit of $ 35 billion. They are also trying to conclude a free trade agreement with the European Union.

China has used its authority and impact to silence its critics abroad and pressure governments to return citizens who escape persecution. In recent years, the government Recreen up to one million uyghurs and others In prison and prisons, ascended Birth control measures for Muslim women And the situation of Muslim children In internal schools.

Julian Ko, a law professor at the University of Hofstra, a close observer of the United States’ policy on Ouigor, said social media that the visa restriction policy was a “somewhat dramatic step”, and that he could not “remember this type of sanctions on third -party countries before.”

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in Thailand said this month that the deportation of the Uyghur was in the interest of the country because of the possibility of revenge from Beijing if they were sent to another place. He said that some countries have offered the resettlement of the Uighurs, but described the offers as “unrealistic”, given that their resettlement will not protect Thailand from possible repercussions with China.

The Foreign Ministry in Thailand said in a statement that the Thai government had received assurances from the Chinese authorities regarding the safety of the Uighurs and will continue to follow up on their well -being. He added that he also made it clear with the countries concerned on many occasions.

Global Times, a state -owned newspaper in China, condemned the American visa policy as “hypocritical intervention in the internal affairs of China under the guise of human rights.”