Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the Thai government not to return the 63 asylum seekers to China because they could face »persecution, torture and other harm.»
On March 30, Thai authorities detained 28 adults and 35 children members of the persecuted Shenzhen Holy Reformed Church who were fleeing persecution by Chinese authorities, according to an HRW statement.
These asylum seekers arrived in the country in 2022 and have been detained for overstaying their visas, which they can only renew by presenting themselves at the Chinese Embassy first.
»If Thailand determines that the 63 Chinese Christians cannot stay, they should be allowed to seek protection in another country,» said HRW Asia director Elaine Pearson.
The organization said the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) should have »unhindered» access to the people to assess their situation and to prevent them from being deported to countries where they may be at risk.
In addition, he explained that Thailand has a »long history» of collaboration with the Chinese authorities in extraditing politicians, religious leaders, activists and journalists.
Thailand is a signatory to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, so it is obliged not to extradite or expel people to countries where they could be tortured or disappear.
»Under President Xi Jinping’s rule in China, leaders and members of ‘House Churches’ who refuse to join official churches face harassment, arbitrary arrests and imprisonment. The Thai authorities must recognize the great dangers faced by Christians back in China, and under no circumstances should they send them back,» Pearson said.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
