US hits Thai officials with visa sanctions over deportation of Uighurs to China

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on March 14 announced sanctions against officials from Thailand, a US ally, for their role in deporting at least 40 Uighurs to China, where Washington says the members of the Muslim group will face persecution.

- 

WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on March 14 announced sanctions against officials from Thailand, a US ally, for their role in deporting at least 40 Uighurs to China, where Washington says the members of the Muslim group will face persecution.

The US is "committed to combating China's efforts to pressure governments to forcibly return Uighurs and other groups to China, where they are subject to torture and enforced disappearances", the State Department said in a statement.

The move appeared to be intended to discourage Thailand and other countries from such deportations.

While the US has imposed sanctions in the past on Thailand, including by suspending military aid after military coups, and has targeted Thai individuals and companies for violating sanctions on third countries, a leading Southeast Asia expert said he could not recall sanctions on government officials, who were not named in Mr Rubio's announcement.