Uyghurs detained in Thailand over a decade ago say the Thai government is preparing to deport them to China; activists say they risk abuse and torture.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio – the incoming Trump administration’s pick to lead the U.S. State Department – will lobby Thailand to ensure that 48 ethnic Uyghurs held there on immigration charges are not sent back to China where they would likely face persecution, according to rights groups.