Justice for Tenzin Delek Rinpoche

We are devastated to learn that Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, an innocent and revered Tibetan Buddhist monk and community leader has died in Chinese prison after 13 years of unjust imprisonment.

China must answer for this crime.

Please send the letter below to the Foreign Ministers of the G20 countries calling for an international inquiry into his death.

On July 12th, Tenzin Delek's family was informed by Chinese police that he had passed away in a prison near Chengdu, Sichuan Province. His body has been cremated against the wishes of his family.

Chinese authorities are refusing to reveal the circumstances around his death.

Take action now: Justice for Tenzin Delek!

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To World Leaders:

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Dear [Decision Maker],

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It is with grave concern that I write with regard to the death of highly respected Tibetan leader Tenzin Delek Rinpoche on 12 July 2015. He was cremated against the family's wishes and demands and in violation of Chinese law on July 16, 2015 local time in Chengdu, Sichuan.

Tenzin Delek was held in Chinese custody for over 13 years for a crime he did not commit. He was charged with "causing explosions" and "inciting separatism", charges for which no evidence was ever provided and against which he steadfastly maintained his innocence.

His family applied for his release on medical parole in 2014, knowing that he was gravely unwell. However the Chinese authorities never responded to this application, despite his eligibility.

Tenzin Delek's untimely death throws a spotlight on the torture and horrific conditions that Tibetan political prisoners face when detained by Chinese authorities. The fact that his body was suddenly cremated against the family's wishes shows China's complete disregard for international pressure. China cannot continue to sweep rampant abuses under the carpet, and the international community cannot allow this to happen without holding the perpetrators to account.

I urge you to immediately demand a public inquiry into the circumstances of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche's death. He was a political prisoner at the top of the priority listing for a number of countries and his passing must be officially acknowledged and the causes investigated.

I urge you to inquire into the safety and whereabouts of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche's sister Dolkar Lhamo and her daughter Nyima Lhamo, who have been missing after they have been taken away by Chinese police in Chengdu city at around 8am local Beijing time on July 17th.

I also wish to see our government express strong condemnation at the passing of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche; and convey to China its concern that he was sentenced in secrecy for a crime he did not commit, and China's failure to respond to the application for medical parole.

I look forward to hearing from you on this matter.

Yours Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]

Transforming our world through nonviolent action