US Secretary of State Marco Rubio imposed sanctions on Friday against Thai officials involved in the deportation of at least 40 Uyghurs back to China, where Washington asserts they are subjected to persecution. The action represents Washington’s resolute opposition to China’s attempts to coerce other countries into forced returns of Uyghurs and other vulnerable people.
US State Department, in a statement, reaffirmed its intention to oppose China’s so-called human rights violations, affirming that deported Uyghurs in China tend to be tortured and subjected to enforced disappearances. The sanctions extend to family members of those involved as well. The US intends that this will act as a deterrent to Thailand and other nations against future deportations.
The deportations, conducted in February, were severely criticized internationally. The United Nations had cautioned that returning the Uyghurs to China would subject them to severe abuse and irreparable damage. Thailand justified its move, claiming that it acted within legal and human rights parameters. The Thai embassy in Washington remains silent on Rubio’s announcement.
While the US has sanctioned Thailand in the past such as by suspending military assistance following previous coups it has infrequently sanctioned Thai government leaders directly. Southeast Asia analyst Murray Hiebert said that Thailand is extremely sensitive to foreign criticism but might walk on eggshells following President Donald Trump’s recent tariff threat against nations with large trade surpluses, including Thailand.
The Washington-based Campaign for Uyghurs advocacy organization welcomed the US move, declaring that it is a powerful message against the abuse of human rights. Rubio, a long-time supporter of Uyghurs, reaffirmed Beijing’s actions towards the group constitute “genocide and crimes against humanity,” as stated initially by the US in 2021. China has dismissed such claims, proclaiming its actions are in response to fighting extremism and terrorism.
