Sunday, February 16th, 2025

UN human rights experts urge China to address human rights violations in Tibet and East Turkestan


United Nations (UN) human rights experts have sent a letter to the Chinese government, expressing grave concern over the ongoing human rights abuses in Tibet and East Turkestan, Tibet.net reports.

According to Tibet.net, the letter highlights the unlawful detention and enforced disappearance of rights defenders and others in these areas. It calls on the Chinese government to explain the fate of several individuals, including nine Tibetans, who have been detained without clear charges or access to legal representation.

UN experts pointed to a disturbing pattern of human rights violations, such as communications detention, enforced disappearances and repression of cultural, religious and artistic expression. he/she said these actions were aimed at silencing critics, limiting freedom of expression, and suppressing minority groups in Tibet and East Turkestan, Tibet.net reported.

The communication specifically named nine Tibetans – Tsedo, Kori, Chugdar, Gelo, Bhamo, Lobsang Samten, Lobsang Trinley, Wangqi and Tsering Tashi – who have been detained or disappeared. Experts also raised questions about their arrests, detentions, and whether their cases were kept secret or mishandled in closed trials. They urged the Chinese government to clarify whether these individuals received fair treatment and whether any investigation has been launched into their ill-treatment.

Reports by UN experts also highlighted the ongoing issue of torture and inhumane treatment of detainees. Many Tibetans have been tortured during police interrogations, some of whom have died due to ill-treatment or lack of medical care. The letter calls for transparency regarding efforts to investigate and resolve any cases of false imprisonment, torture or death in custody, Tibet.net reports.

The communication also mentioned several cases from recent years, such as the arrest in August 2022 of five Tibetans who were involved in religious activities such as praying and burning incense. Although these actions were peaceful, they were arrested and their families were not allowed to send them food. One man, Chugdar, reportedly died after being severely beaten and tortured in custody.

Additionally, according to Tibet.net, experts raised concerns about four Tibetans who were arrested in September 2024, including Lobsang Samten, Lobsang Trinley, Wangqi, and Tsering Tashi. These individuals were detained without any information about their charges or where they were being held. Experts said Lobsang Samten and Lobsang Trinley are important religious figures of Kirti Monastery, and their arrests are part of a larger pattern of repression against religious freedom in Tibet.

The letter also highlighted the Chinese government’s increasing crackdown on religious practices. Simple acts such as possessing photographs of the Dalai Lama, burning incense or praying have led to arrests. The government has tightly monitored religious activities and taken control of monasteries and nunneries. Religious leaders are often detained or forced to undergo political re-education. As Tibet.net reports, these actions are part of China’s broader campaign to “sinicize” the religion, which aims to forcefully align Tibetan religious practices with Chinese state ideology.

The letter was signed by a number of UN Special Rapporteurs, including experts on enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, freedom of expression, the rights of human rights defenders and religious freedom, among other matters. They called on China to take immediate action to address these violations and provide clarity on the fate of the detained individuals.

The communication is reminiscent of the ongoing human rights conflicts in Tibet and East Turkestan, where cultural and religious freedoms are severely restricted.



Share on:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *