[Thailand] Over 60 Montagnard Christian Refugees Arrested, 40 Uighurs Forcibly Repatriated to China

“For the LORD your God loves the foreigner residing among you.”

The Christian Post (CP) reported that Thai authorities in Bangkok recently arrested more than 60 Montagnard Christian refugees who had fled religious persecution in Vietnam.

On March 11, Thai police arrested 68 Montagnard Christians, including men, women, children, and even pregnant women, while they were praying and worshiping near Bangkok. Most were detained for not having legal documents, and some are still in custody because they cannot afford to pay fines. Thai police have handed them over to immigration authorities, and those unable to pay their fines will be imprisoned before being sent to an immigration detention center.

Some of these refugees are registered with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), and at least 43 of them hold official refugee cards issued by Thailand. While Thai authorities say they have no immediate plans to deport them, there are concerns that they may be expelled in the future.

At the same time, the Thai government recently forcibly deported 40 Uighurs to China, drawing strong criticism from the U.S. government. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), a religious freedom watchdog, reported that Uighurs were seen being transported from a Bangkok immigration detention center. Meanwhile, Chinese state media CCTV claimed that “40 illegal Chinese immigrants have been returned home,” sharing images of individuals believed to be Uighurs.

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio condemned the deportations, warning that “Uighurs face persecution, forced labor, and torture in China.” The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok also criticized Thailand’s decision, saying that returning Uighurs to China could result in violent retaliation.

Currently, more than 4,000 Vietnamese refugees are living in Thailand, but they do not receive international legal protection because Thailand has not signed the 1951 Refugee Convention. Human rights organizations continue to call on Thailand to improve its treatment of refugees.

In January 2021, former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo officially labeled China’s mass detention, forced labor, and sterilization of Uighurs in Xinjiang as “genocide” and “crimes against humanity.” (Source: Christian Daily Edited)

“For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 10:17-19, NIV)

God, we cry out for the refugees who have fled persecution, only to face further oppression through forced detention and repatriation. Have mercy on those who have no place to go, even those holding Thai-issued refugee cards. We ask You to rebuke the Thai government for its failure to protect and respect these vulnerable people, despite international criticism. Bring them before Your great and righteous judgment. May Your Church reflect Your heart for the foreigner and the oppressed, standing as a light in the darkness. Through the gospel, may these souls be strengthened in faith, longing for their eternal home in You.

Prayer 24·365
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