Human Rights Watch Urges Inquiry Into Mysterious Death of Tibetan Lama in Vietnam

Taipei [Taiwan], April 10 (ANI): Human Rights Watch On Wednesday, HRW urged the authorities to Vietnam Thees government should probe the death of a high-ranking official. Tibet an lama, Humkar Dorje Rinpoche In Ho Chi Minh City on March 29, 2025, under questionable conditions, according to a statement from HRW.

Based on the announcement, Humkar Dorje, aged 56, passed away after months of worry from those involved. Tibet A community discussing his location and welfare. His followers in India, where numerous Tibet Those living in exile claim that Vietnam ese and Chinese authorities had arrest ed him in Vietnam after he fled Tibet His monastery, overseen officially, stated that he passed away due to an illness during a retreat instead.

" Humkar Dorje Rinpoche 's death in Vietnam is particularly worrying considering the Chinese government's intense suppression Tibet and its history of seizing its citizens Vietnam "As stated by Maya Wang, who serves as the associate China director at Human Rights Watch .

"The Vietnam These authorities should conduct credible and unbiased investigations into these allegations and take appropriate measures, including sharing the autopsy results with Humkar Dorje's family,” Wang stated.

Humkar Dorje served as the leader of the Lung Ngon monastery located in Gabde county within the Golok region. Tibet a self-governing prefecture within Qinghai province. He attracted numerous followers both domestically and internationally, including those from Vietnam He was an influential educator who, with official approval and supervision, established a vocational school along with over 10 additional institutions in the area. There, he supported the educational journey of many local youngsters.

The disappearance and demise of Humkar Dorje happened during a stringent period initiated by the Chinese government against notable figures. Tibet educators and the institutions they lead, which encourage Tibet a language and culture, in the east Tibet an areas including Golok.

Humkar Dorje has been unaccounted for since at least November 2024, as reported. Tibet An exiled media outlet reported this situation. In December, when residents in Gabde County voiced concerns about an individual, local authorities allegedly prohibited any public discourse regarding the matter. This enforced silence was broken on April 1st when officials from Gabde County presented representatives of the nearby monastery with a death certificate provided by a hospital located in Ho Chi Minh City.

On April 3rd, the senior monks from Lung Ngon Monastery released a public announcement indicating that Humkar Dorje showed indications of poor health. They mentioned he left unaccompanied for an undisclosed location sometime earlier with intentions for a spiritual retreat, after which they reported his death occurred unexpectedly due to illness. Vietnam On March 29, without providing additional information.

On April 5, his supporters in India refuted these assertions and stated that the high lama was actually present. Vietnam Following a Chinese law enforcement questioning session, Tibet towards the end of last year. They mentioned Vietnam These police, supposedly working together with agents from China's Ministry of State Security, arrested him on March 25. He passed away four days after his detention.

The monastery's statement appears to be unfinished and might have been composed under certain pressures. Human Rights Watch said, given the Chinese authorities ' strict oversight over the handling of ' Tibet an monasteries.

Tibet Tibetan lamas frequently enter seclusion for long durations; however, it seems extremely improbable that high-ranking monks at their temple would remain ignorant of the lama’s whereabouts, keep this information hidden over many months, or fail to notice him traveling overseas. Moreover, should the lama have entered meditation isolation or fallen ill, government officials would not feel compelled to prohibit conversations about his condition.

followers of Humkar Dorje in India mentioned that he left his monastery around late September following questioning by government officials and local security forces in Gabde. A news article from Chinese state media depicts a high-ranking county-level official inspecting Lung Ngon Monastery on October 15th to review temple administration. Notably unusual for such reports, this one does not refer to Humkar Dorje directly by name.

It seemed Humkar Dorje had maintained a favorable relationship with the authorities for quite some time. He completed his studies in 2001 at China's nationally recognized institution for Tibet A Buddhist lama who held an esteemed position at the county level within the People's Congress, serving as a vice chairman of the congress Standing Committee. Additionally, he served as the president of the Gabde County chapter of the Chinese Buddhist Association, positioning him as the highest-ranking spiritual leader in the area.

In July 2024, he organized a significant public religious event at Lung Ngon Monastery, an occasion that necessitated formal approval. According to state-controlled news outlets in August, he was depicted as one of the key figures leading a governmental mission to visit another nearby monastery. Then, in September, official press coverage featured images of a high-ranking national officer along with representatives from a provincial team dining with Humkar Dorje at his monastery. The report highlighted that “all tiers of administration within the province, prefecture, and county have commended the numerous initiatives undertaken by Lung Ngon Temple over the past few years.”

The official records of Humkar Dorje's sightings concluded by the end of September, aligning with when his devotees in India claimed he had escaped. Vietnam .

Chinese authorities have frequently participated in cross-border suppression -- human rights violations carried out outside a nation's boundaries to stifle opposition, including against Tibet People residing overseas who criticize the Chinese government or engage in actions seen as threats to the government are targeted.

Unverified accounts from fellow adherents of Humkar Dorje indicated that certain members of the Lung Ngon Monastery who were present stated that Vietnam He might have been detained simultaneously, and could potentially be transferred as well. Vietnam These authorities sent individuals to China despite the extreme danger of torture and other forms of abuse.

The Vietnam This government is required to uphold the international legal principle of non-refoulement, which prevents nations from sending individuals back to locations where they could encounter a genuine threat of persecution.

The Chinese government is recognized for having arrest Ed and returned at least two political dissidents back to their home country. Vietnam in collaboration with the Vietnam These authorities include Dong Guangping in 2022 and Wang Bingzhang in 2002.

In line with the Minnesota Protocol for investigating potentially unlawful deaths, Vietnam This government should carry out an unbiased investigation. investigation Regarding the details surrounding Humkar Dorje's demise, particularly focusing on the involvement of local security forces and potential participation from Chinese security officers or officials—this investigation must encompass a thorough post-mortem examination aimed at identifying the reasons for his passing. Such findings ought to be communicated to the family alongside the return of their loved one’s remains. According to the provisions laid out in the Minnesota Protocol, "In instances where there may have been an illegal fatality, families are entitled—at the very least—to knowledge regarding the conditions, whereabouts, and state of the deceased, as well as what has been established concerning both the reason and method of death."

"Governments of other countries should urge the Vietnam seek answers from this government Humkar Dorje Rinpoche Wang stated, "'Their deaths,' they should hold Vietnam Hold these officials responsible for their involvement in China's harmful practices. Vietnam And implement steps to ensure they do not happen again." (ANI)