The United States has imposed visa sanctions on several Thai officials over the surprise deportation of 40 Uyghurs back to China last month, a rare instance of punishment for countries that have repatriated members of the persecuted Muslim minority despite warnings that the Uyghurs might face torture and long-term imprisonment upon their return.

The Department of State announced Friday that it imposed visa restrictions on Thai officials involved in the forced return of

The U.S. State Department has announced sanctions on an unknown number of current and former Thai officials for their role in deporting at least 40 Uyghur men to China despite worries that they could be jailed or even face death there.