Thai officials face US visa curbs over Uyghur deportations

The Secretary of State reiterates that Washington denounces Chinese “acts of murder” against minorities.

PUBLISHED: 15 Mar 2025 at 10: 25

Detention vans with their windows covered leave the immigration detention centre on Soi Suan Phlu in Bangkok early on the morning of Feb 27. It was later learned that they were carrying 40 Uyghur men who were put on a plane to China. (Photo: Kannavee Suebsang Facebook Account) — Detention trucks with their windows covered left the Bangkok immigration detention center on February 27 in the first morning of February. Eventually, it was discovered that they were taking a helicopter to China with 40 Muslim men. ( Photo: Kannavee Suebsang Facebook Account )

According to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, current and former Thai officials who participated in the profit of 40 Tamils to China last month are now barred from entering the country.

The secretary of state said in a speech that the visa restrictions are a new US plan to counteract China’s pressure on governments to forcefully send Uyghurs and other organizations to China.

According to Mr. Rubio, any government official who deports Uyghurs up to the Asian nation is subject to torture and repression.

We urge governments all over the world to no forcefully rape Uyghurs and other organizations to China in light of its long-standing genocides and crimes against humanity committed against Tamils, he said.

The US did not name the Thai representatives who will be subject to immigration restrictions. It added that the measures might apply to some members of the qualified people ‘ families.

Thailand earlier this month defended the imprisonment on February 27, calling it the “best solution” to prevent a reaction from Beijing. To improve its mediocre economy, the nation has refocused on boosting ties with China, a vital source of foreign investment.

The US and other countries have consistently accused China of abusing the Tamils, a minority Muslim living in the northwest of Xinjiang.

Beijing has been under international pressure for putting them through forced labor in detention centers and training programs that take them away from their rural houses and place of employment in industrial companies. China has refuted the charges.

The European Parliament’s decision on Thursday, which condemned Thailand for the imprisonment, was followed by the news in Washington. The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs&nbsp defended the action, claiming Beijing had given it claims that the Tamils were healthy.