CFU PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2025, 2:30 PM
Contact: contact@campaignforuyghurs.org
+1 650-703-4523
https://campaignforuyghurs.org
Washington, D.C. – Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU) commends U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visa restrictions on current or former Thai officials responsible for the forced return of 40 Uyghurs to China, announced on March 14, 2025. This decisive action sends a strong message that those who enable the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) human rights abuses will face consequences for their crimes.
Thailand’s deportation of Uyghurs, in violation of international law and Thailand’s own Anti-Torture Act, has placed innocent lives at risk, subjecting them to imprisonment, torture, and enforced disappearance at the hands of the CCP. The Chinese and Thai governments claim that their actions are “in accordance with international law,” while orchestrating false and misleading propaganda scenes to whitewash their crimes and the ongoing genocide. Additionally, the Thai Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has scheduled a reporting tour to the Uyghur region from March 18-21, allowing only state-approved, pro-government journalists to participate, aiming to further distort the truth and defend their atrocities.
Despite mounting international pressure, Thailand deported 40 Uyghurs on February 27, 2025. In response, Secretary Marco Rubio condemned the forced deportations and reaffirmed the ongoing Uyghur genocide, making this the third consecutive U.S. administration to do so. Today, in response to advocacy of Uyghur groups, including Campaign for Uyghurs, the U.S. government further demonstrated its commitment to justice by announcing a new visa restriction policy for those complicit government officials.
“I am immediately implementing this policy by taking steps to impose visa restrictions on current and former officials from the Government of Thailand responsible for, or complicit in, the forced return of 40 Uyghurs from Thailand on February 27. 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,” said Secretary Rubio in the statement.
“We are deeply grateful to Secretary Rubio for his leadership and long-standing support of the Uyghur cause,” said Rushan Abbas, Executive Director of CFU. “By imposing visa restrictions on Thai officials responsible for the return of 40 Uyghurs, the United States is sending a clear warning: nations that violate human rights and disregard international law will face consequences. We commend Secretary Rubio and the Trump administration for standing resolutely against transnational repression and genocide.”
CFU calls on the international community to follow the U.S.’s lead to hold the Thai government accountable for its complicity in the CCP’s Uyghur genocide and ensure the safety of the remaining Uyghur refugees in Thailand.
