Reported Uyghur death in Thai immigration detention spotlights treatment; calls for release

Human rights groups, this week, urged the Thai government to investigate the deaths of Uyghur refugees in immigration detention.

The Uyghur are a Muslim minority mostly hailing from China’s Xinjiang Province. The refugees that make it to Thailand say that they are fleeing government repression.

“This is the second Uyghur to die in Thai custody this year,” John Quinley, the Director of Fortify Rights, told Thai Enquirer.

“Thai authorities must open an independent investigation into the death of Mattohti Mattursun and others,” he said.

The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) and the Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP) reported this week that Mattohti, 40, who had been in Thai detention for over nine years, passed away last Friday.

He died of suspected liver failure. His family’s whereabouts are unknown.

Mattohti, who is also known as Muhammed Tursun, was one of almost 50 Uyghur detainees being held at the Bangkok Immigration Detention Centre in Suan Phlu.

Muhammed Tursun arrived in Thailand in 2014 before being arrested and detained by the Thai authorities.

Muhammed Tursun reportedly suffered from stomach pains and vomiting over the last few weeks.

He was transferred to a hospital on Friday and he is believed to have died, Thai authorities have yet to confirm his death.

Earlier this year, Aziz Abdullah, 49, died at the same detention facility, having spent almost nine years in immigration detention.

Aziz Abdullah’s death in February 2023 was reportedly due to pneumonia. Both Aziz and Muhammad were transferred to the facility in July 2022.

“Uyghurs are fleeing ongoing persecution by the Chinese government in Xinjiang,” Quinley said. “They should be granted protection by Thailand, but instead, they are being detained for years on end.”

“The conditions in Thailand’s detention centers are atrocious. Thai authorities must find alternatives to detention and end their policy of locking up refugees,” he said.

Quinley said Thai authorities should work in cooperation with the UN Refugee Agency to protect refugees and find long-term solutions for those who cannot return to their homeland.