US: Cambodia's deportation of Uighurs violates obligations

21/12/2009
The Nation

Washington - The United States Sunday denounced Cambodia's deportation to China of 20 Uighur asylum seekers, saying it appeared to violate Cambodia's international obligations and would have long- term consequences for bilateral ties.

The United States was "deeply concerned" about the welfare of the individuals who had been deported, said Gordon Duguid, acting spokesman of the US State Department in a statement.

"We are also deeply disturbed that the Cambodian government decided to forcibly remove the group without the benefit of a credible process for determining refugee status and without appropriate participation by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees," Duguid said.

The State Department said the incident would affect Cambodia's relationship with the US and its international standing.

The US urged the government of China to ensure proper treatment of the asylum seekers and uphold standards of human rights. The 20 Chinese Muslims had arrived in Cambodia last month from the far western Xinjiang region.

Cambodia deported the Uighurs on the eve of the Chinese vice president's arrival in the country Sunday on a state visit, drawing immediate criticism from the United Nations.

"We are a greatly disappointed with this because Cambodia has signed the International Refugee Convention so they are supposed to protect refugees under this law," Christophe Pescoux, Cambodia representative of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR), said.