China confirmed Thailand deported 40 Chinese nationals on Thursday, despite human rights organizations and members of the U.S. government called on Bangkok to not repatriate the Uyghur Muslims.

Thailand's premier said on Thursday international standards and human rights principles must be followed, responding to activists' concerns that 48 Uyghurs held in the country for more than a decade had been secretly deported to China.

Human rights groups warned that the Uyghurs, who were held in Bangkok for more than a decade, will face mistreatment from Chinese authorities back in Xinjiang.