Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and nearly 60 other groups say the investigative journalist faces an imminent risk of deportation over fabricated charges. (EPA Images pic)
GENEVA: A United Nations expert and dozens of press freedom and rights groups on Friday urged Thailand not to forcibly return a detained journalist to China.
Chinese investigative journalist Bai Zhaodong fled China in November 2023 “having been persecuted and criminalised for exposing large-scale corruption and financial fraud implicating officials”, the UN special rapporteur on rights defenders, Andrea Bolanos Vargas, said on X.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and nearly 60 other groups said Friday the journalist, held in Thai immigration detention since January, faced an “imminent risk of deportation”.
They said China issued an arrest warrant for Bai in September 2024 “on fabricated charges of extortion” and Thai authorities had since then stopped him from moving to another country.
They warned he faced a “real risk” of persecution in China.
“His forced return would therefore undeniably violate Thailand’s obligations under international and domestic torture prohibitions (non-refoulement),” their statement said.
Vargas, an independent expert mandated by the UN Human Rights Council who does not speak on behalf of the UN, voiced alarm at the “disturbing news about the imminent deportation”.
She said he remained “detained in Bangkok, reportedly in poor health and without adequate medical care”.
She joined the NGOs in urging Thailand to allow him to leave to another country.
The Thai foreign ministry declined to comment to AFP on Bai’s case.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a regular news briefing Bai was suspected of extortion and bribery and an extradition request had been submitted.
“It is hoped Thailand will extradite him back to China soon,” he said.
