HRF condemns Thailand’s decision to block Chinese dissident Zhang Xinyan from flying to Canada to resettle and seek protection. By obstructing her departure, Thailand has once again facilitated Beijing’s efforts to extend repression beyond its borders.

Zhang, a Falun Gong practitioner who fled to Thailand from China in 2014, was arrested by Thai police in May 2026 for allegedly overstaying her visa. Although the Canadian government arranged for her to resettle in Vancouver, the Thai government stopped her from departing on July 8, essentially denying her safe passage to protection.

Last year, Hong Kong police issued an arrest warrant and offered a HK$200,000 bounty against Zhang on the grounds of “subversion” under the draconian National Security Law due to her role in the overseas “Hong Kong Parliament.”

Thailand has repeatedly violated the principle of non-refoulement by returning individuals at risk to China. Preventing Zhang from reaching protection raises serious concerns that Thailand is once again placing dissidents at risk.