EU concerned at Cambodia's expulsion of Uighurs

(BRUSSELS) - The European Union on Monday voiced deep concern over Cambodia's expulsion of 20 Uighurs from the restive Chinese region of Xinjiang and urged Beijing to treat them properly.

In a statement, the Swedish EU presidency said it was "deeply concerned about the decision by the Cambodian government to forcibly return a group of ethnic Uighur asylum-seekers to China on December 19, 2009 prior to an examination of their status under international refugee law."

The expulsion late Saturday on a Chinese aircraft, confirmed by the Cambodian interior ministry, came despite protests from the United States, the United Nations and human rights groups.

The Swedish EU presidency statement urged China "to ensure that the human rights of the returned persons are respected, and to guarantee transparency and due process."

Phnom Penh's action "shows a worrying disregard for Cambodia's obligations under international law, as well as for specific undertakings given to UNHCR in this case," it said, referring to the UN refugee agency.

It urged the Cambodian government "to review its procedures for dealing with applications for asylum, in order to ensure that the procedures comply with Cambodia's obligations under international law."

The Uighurs' presence in Phnom Penh was made public two weeks ago as they sought refugee status in Cambodia, saying they risked torture in China.

Tensions flared in Xinjiang in China's northwest in July, when clashes between Uighurs and China's majority Han ethnic group left nearly 200 dead and 1,600 injured, according to official tolls.

The violence erupted when Uighurs -- a mainly Muslim minority that has long complained of repression under Chinese rule -- attacked Han Chinese. In subsequent days, mobs of Han roamed the streets seeking revenge.