On democracy and human rights in Thailand, notably the lese-majesty law and the deportation of Uyghur refugees

B100174/2025

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on democracy and human rights in Thailand, notably the lese-majesty law and the deportation of Uyghur refugees

(2025/2594(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Thailand and on Uyghurs in China,

– having regard to Rules 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas Thailand's lèse-majesté provisions under Article 112 of the Criminal Code are among the strictest in the world and not in line with the country’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;

whereas in February 2025, Thailand secretly deported 40 Uyghurs to China following 10 years of detention in inhumane conditions;

Strongly condemns that Thailand’s draconian lèse-majesté laws continue to be used to stifle dissent, legitimate political discussions and persecute human rights and democracy defenders, civil society activists, journalists, others and even children;

Urges Thailand to promptly release and drop charges against all political prisoners and activists detained as a consequence of exercising their freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly, including those charged with lèse-majesté, including Arnon Nampa, co-founder of Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR);

Urges the Thai authorities to repeal its lèse-majesté provisions, including the outrageously disproportionate punishments;

Condemns the deportation by Thailand of the group of 40 Uyghurs to China, where they could face torture, forced disappearance, arbitrary detention, and long-term imprisonment, in breach of the principle of non-refoulement and Thailand’s obligations under national and international law as a member of the Human Rights Council;

Regrets that, despite offers from safe third countries to host the Uyghurs, Thai authorities yielded to Chinese pressure and carried out the forced returns;

Urges authorities to immediately put a halt to all deportations of Uyghurs, as well as Rohingya, political dissidents from Laos, Burma and Cambodia, and other asylum seekers, who face heightened risks at their countries of origin and to ensure their protection and fair asylum procedures guaranteed under international human rights law;

Reiterates its calls urging Thailand to sign and ratify the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 protocol;

Urges China to allow the OHCHR and other international observers independent and unhindered access to XUAR and to the group of forcibly returned men to enquire about their safety;

Urges the Chinese Government to put an immediate end to the practice of arbitrary detention without charge, trial or conviction for a criminal offence of members of the Uyghur and other Muslim minorities, to close all detention and re-education centres, and to immediately and unconditionally release those detained, including the 40 deported Uyghurs, Gulshan Abbas and Sakarov Prize winner Ilham Tohti, and to ensure that until then they have access to family, lawyers of their choice and adequate healthcare;

Urges Member States to address the transnational repression of Chinese dissidents and Uyghurs on their territory, to prosecute individuals responsible and to suspend extradition treaties with the PRC;

Reiterates its calls on the EU Council to adopt targeted sanctions against all officials responsible for Beijing’s crimes against humanity and other serious human rights abuses;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to all relevant parties;