UN experts urge China to address human rights violations in Tibet

The United Nations (UN) Human Rights experts have sent a letter to the Chinese government, raising serious concerns over its recent history of human rights violations, in particular, its unlawful arrest and disappearance of rights defenders and individuals in Tibet and East Turkestan. Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), in a release issued here, said the communication highlighted recurring patterns of repression, including incommunicado detentions and enforced disappearances, which were intended to limit artistic, cultural and religious expression. The letter, dated November 14, 2024, was made public on January, 14, 2025, the CTA release read.

The CTA further said the experts called on the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to provide information on the fate and whereabouts of nine Tibetans — Tsedo, Kori, Chugdar, Gelo, Bhamo, Lobsang Samten, Lobsang Trinley, Wangkyi and Tsering Tashi. The communication also mentioned other human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers, activists and ethnic or religious minorities, unlawfully imprisoned and disappeared.

Many Tibetans have been subjected to severe torture and inhumane treatment during police interrogation for years, and a few have died as a result of these tortures as well as the lack of adequate medical care. The experts had called on the PRC government to provide detailed information on its efforts to investigate any miscarriage of justice, ill-treatment in pre-trial and post-trial detention as well as the cases of death in custody, the CTA said.

Five Tibetans mentioned in UN letter were arrested in August 2022 as part of religious activities such as burning incense and offering prayers.