GENEVA (5 August 2026) – UN experts* today expressed grave concern over the continued detention of Chinese journalist and human rights defender Bai Zhaodong in Thailand and the risk of his forcible return to China, due to the persecution and repression he suffered at the hands of the Chinese authorities, as a consequence of his human rights activities.
“Immigration status alone cannot justify prolonged deprivation of liberty. Human rights defenders seeking international protection must not be returned to countries where they are at risk of facing persecution, torture or other irreparable harm,” the experts said.
Bai fled China to Thailand in 2023 following alleged persecution and repression linked to his human rights work and is recognised as an asylum seeker. He has reportedly remained in immigration detention since 21 January 2026, despite completing a two-month sentence for immigration-related offences issued in March 2026. His resettlement to a safe third country was reportedly prevented on two occasions, and Chinese authorities have since requested his extradition.
The experts noted with concern the Thai Cabinet’s approval of draft regulations establishing a unified and expedited procedure for the deportation of foreign nationals on 14 July 2026. “While States may regulate migration and removal procedures, any new framework must fully incorporate international human rights safeguards, including access to asylum procedures, individualised risk assessments, effective judicial review with suspensive effect, and full respect for the principle of non-refoulement.”
The experts stressed that without such safeguards, the new framework could increase the risk of refoulement of asylum seekers and refugees including human rights defenders facing persecution.
“The new deportation framework must not be applied in a manner that circumvents asylum procedures or facilitates the return of persons at risk of persecution or torture,” they said.
The experts expressed concern about reports of Bai’s deteriorating health and inadequate access to medical care while in detention.
“Any decision concerning Mr. Bai’s return to China must fully respect Thailand’s international human rights obligations, including the prohibition of refoulement,” they said.
‘’No one should be returned to a country where there are substantial grounds for believing they may face persecution or other serious human rights violations.’’
The Special Rapporteurs urged Thai authorities to ensure that Bai Zhaodong has access to effective legal remedies, due process guarantees, adequate medical care and protection from arbitrary detention. “Any transfer must be halted until all protection concerns have been thoroughly and independently assessed.”
The experts remain in contact with the Government of Thailand regarding this matter.
*The experts:
- Andrea Bolaños Vargas, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Pau Pérez Sales, the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organisation, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR.
Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/
UN Human Rights, country page – Thailand.