US implements visa restrictions on Thai officials

US Imposes Visa Bans on Thai Officials Over Uyghur Deportations

• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced visa restrictions on Thai officials following Thailand's deportation of dozens of Uyghurs to China in late February.
• Rubio, attending G7 talks in Canada, urged governments worldwide not to forcibly return Uyghurs, citing China's alleged genocide and crimes against humanity.
• The US has implemented visa restrictions on an unspecified number of Thai officials involved in the deportations.
• Thailand, a long-standing US ally, maintains close ties with China and stated that Beijing assured fair treatment of the Uyghurs.
• The US accuses China of genocide over its mass detention camps for Uyghurs in Xinjiang, while China denies the allegations, claiming the camps provide vocational training.
• Rubio, a vocal advocate for Uyghur rights, has long criticized China’s policies.
• The move signals a rare return to US prioritization of human rights under President Trump’s administration, despite its own strict deportation policies.
• Rubio indicated that President Trump is expected to engage with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the future, though no meeting date has been set.