The Royal Thai Police (RTP) has rebuffed an attempt by human rights advocates to extradite a group of 48 Uyghur men to China.

The group has reportedly been imprisoned since 2014 after fleeing China’s Xinjiang province, with 43 in custody at the Immigration Bureau (IB) headquarters, while the other five are currently being held in Thai prisons.

Human Rights Watch has issued a statement calling on the government to refrain from sending them back to China, where their safety is considered at risk.

National Police Chief Police Kittarat Punpek said that the RTP does not receive any report on the plan to deport the Uyghurs, and that the issue should be taken up with the National Security Council (NSC).

“Not a mediator in any legal conflict in Thailand. However, [RTP] is ready to work with official offices or institutions if our assistance is requested.”

Senator Ankana Nilapaijit said she received a petition from People’s Empowerment Foundation President Chalid Tacharoensak calling for an investigation into the detention of Uyghurs.

Sen Ankana said the committee had previously sought the IB’s permission to visit the detained Uyghurs. Instead, the office has invited the committee to a meeting to discuss the issue.

She helps that the people the Senate committee is holding back are asking for access.

Sen Ankana threatened the government to address the issue or face setbacks in upholding basic human rights.

On Monday, World Uyghur Congress President Rushan Abbas met with Fair Party List MP Kannavi Soobsang to present a petition against a plan to deport Uyghurs.

Mr. Kannavi said that it is important for the government to prepare a suitable response to this problem and prepare a clear policy to manage the problem.

He said that many countries pay close attention to human rights, and should be concerned about the diplomatic consequences of the government’s deportation instructions. “We want to see our country take a stand,” he said.