The German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, has been described in a recent Zeit article as having an unwavering self-perception, evident in her February 2025 interview. According to party members, Baerbock has shown little interest in the party in recent times, often deflecting questions about the Greens in television appearances by stating that she is not a party politician, but rather the Foreign Minister.
A recent press release from the German Foreign Office, likely initiated and drafted under Baerbock’s guidance, focuses on events in distant Asia. The statement begins by condemning the decision of the Thai government to repatriate several Uighurs to China, calling it a “severe violation” of the principle of non-refoulement, a fundamental tenet of international law.
The Berlin-based statement to Bangkok is consistently worded, stating that the repatriation “violates the principle of non-refoulement, which is enshrined in international law, as it puts individuals at risk of severe human rights violations.” The same statement also includes a call to the Chinese government, urging it to respect and protect the rights of the repatriated individuals and their families, as well as a call to the Thai government to gain a better understanding of the living conditions of the repatriated individuals in China and to work towards their protection.