Human rights case studies

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Below are a selection of case studies of individuals who have suffered human rights abuses at the hand of China's regime. Many of them have been imprisoned and some remain in prison, died whilst in prison or still have unknown whereabouts.

 

The Panchen Lama

Panchen Lama
Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, recognised by the Dalai Lama as the Panchen Lama reincarnation, has been missing since 1995.

Tenzin Delek Rinpoche

Tenzin Delek Rinpoche
Tenzin Delek Rinpoche died in prison in 2015. He was a highly respected religious leader and had been jailed since 2002.

Dhondup Wangchen

Dhondup Wangchen
Dhondup Wangchen was imprisoned for 'subversion' for Leaving Fear Behind, a film sharing ordinary Tibetans' views.

Golog Jigme

Golog Jigme Gyatso
Significant activist Golog Jigme recently reached the West. He was tortured for his role in making the film Leaving Fear Behind.

Yonten Gyatso

Yonten Gyatso
37-year-old senior monk Yonten Gyatso was arrested in October 2011 for sharing information about protests inside Tibet.

Phuntsog

Phuntsog
Phuntsog was the first Tibetan monk to self-immolate since 2009. His protest was met by military and communication controls.

Ngawang Sangdrol

Ngawang Sangdrol
In 1990 13-year-old nun Ngawang Sangdrol participated in a peaceful protest and was jailed over several years, suffering torture.

Bangri Tsamtrul Rinpoche

Bangri Rinpoche
The Rinpoche founded an orphanage and was well-respected in his community. He was arrested for 'attempting to split the country'.

Yonten

Yonten
Norpa Yonten, a 49-year old herder, was shot dead by Chinese security forces at a peaceful protest on 24 January 2012.

Geshe Tsewang Namgyal

Geshe Tsewang Namgyal
Teacher and academic Geshe Tsewang Namgyal is one of four monks from Drango disappeared in January 2012.

Khenpo Kartse

Khenpo Kartse
Highly respected local leader Khenpo Kartse was sentenced in a closed trial, after being in detention for nearly a year.

Jampa

Jampa
Jampa, a mother of three, was arrested after her brother took part in a protest in Meruma in January 2012.

Wangdu

Wangdu
AIDS awareness campaigner Wangdu received a life sentence in 2008 for sending an email about crackdowns on protesters.

Gangkye Drubpa Kyab

Gangkye Drubpa Kyab
The 33-year-old father, teacher and writer was sentenced to five and a half years imprisonment for alleged political activities.

Dorje Tashi

Dorje Tashi
Millionaire, hotel owner and CCP member Dorje was detained after 2008 protests and sentenced to life.

Kunchok Tsephel

Kunchok Tsephel
Kunchok Tsephel, founder of a popular Tibetan literary website, was detained in 2009 and his website shut down.

Tsering Gyaltsen

Tsering Gyaltsen
Tsering Gyaltsen was disappeared in 2012. The authorities denied any knowledge of him until later confirming his death in detention.

Phurbu Rinpoche

Phurbu Rinpoche
Free Tibet believes that Phurbu was detained following peaceful demonstrations by nuns from Pangrina nunnery, where he is abbot.

Paljor Norbu

Paljor Norbu
Paljor Norbu, in his eighties, was sentenced to seven years for printing illegal materials - including the banned national Tibetan flag.

Torture in Tibet

Torture in Tibet
Torture is an everyday reality in Tibet. Read or listen to four survivor testimonies.

Imprisoned musicians

Tibet's Jailed Musicians
Since 2012, China has jailed eleven Tibetan singers after they shared songs celebrating Tibet and calling for freedom.

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