Geneva, 8 October 2025: A group of United Nations human rights experts has expressed grave concern over the arrest, enforced disappearance, and subsequent death in custody of prominent Tibetan spiritual leader Tulku Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche, who reportedly died under suspicious circumstances while detained in Vietnam on 28 March 2025.
In two separate communications — AL VNM 4/2025 addressed to the Government of Vietnam and AL CHN 15/2025 addressed to the Government of the People’s Republic of China — the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, the Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions, and the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues called for urgent clarification and an independent investigation into the case.
According to the communications dated 8 August 2025, Tulku Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche, also known as Golog Rinpoche, was initially detained by Chinese authorities in Qinghai in August 2024 for unclear reasons, reportedly related to his refusal to organise a “warm reception” for the Chinese-appointed Panchen Lama and for maintaining his spiritual allegiance to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. He was later released and is believed to have travelled to Vietnam in September 2024.
On 25 March 2025, Rinpoche was reportedly arrested in Ho Chi Minh City by Vietnamese police in the presence of individuals believed to be Chinese officials. His whereabouts remained unknown for four days. On 29 March, Vietnamese authorities announced that he had died of a heart attack — despite no prior record of cardiac illness. His body was allegedly cremated at Sakya Vietnam Temple on 20 April 2025, without his family’s consent, and his ashes were subsequently returned to his monastery in Tibet.
The UN experts stated that the sequence of events “raises serious concerns regarding arbitrary deprivation of life, violations of the right to liberty and security, and the prohibition of enforced disappearance.” They urged both governments to ensure an independent, prompt, and transparent investigation in line with international human rights standards, including the Minnesota Protocol on the Investigation of Potentially Unlawful Death (2016).
The experts also reminded both China and Vietnam of their obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), emphasising that “loss of life in custody creates a presumption of arbitrary deprivation of life by the State unless proven otherwise through a proper investigation.”
The communication requests detailed explanations from both governments concerning the arrest, detention, cause of death, and cremation of Rinpoche, as well as clarification on any cooperation between Chinese and Vietnamese authorities.
Reacting to the UN communication, Thinlay Chukki, Representative of the Office of Tibet in Geneva, expressed appreciation for the intervention of the Special Rapporteurs and Working Groups.
“We deeply thank the UN Special Rapporteurs and Working Groups for bringing global attention to the tragic and suspicious death of Tulku Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche,” said Representative Thinlay Chukki. “The governments must immediately disclose the truth and conduct a credible, independent investigation.”
She also strongly criticised the Chinese authorities for their alleged role in Rinpoche’s detention, disappearance, and death, stating, “The arbitrary arrest, enforced disappearance, and custodial death of Tulku Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche are a grave violation of human rights. China’s repeated interference in the lives of Tibetan religious leaders is unacceptable. Justice for his death is essential, and those responsible must be held accountable.”
-Report filed by Office of Tibet, Geneva
