Yangchen Tso, Editor
Translated by Ten Gyal
Tibetan language Rights activist Tashi Wangchuk published three documents on his social media November 12th 2024, related to his recent arrest and detention.
According to these documents, Tashi made statements which were accusatory, distortionary and disapproving of the Chinese government’s decision. For inciting grave disturbance in societal institutions and on the internet, he was decreed to be detained at the Kyegu Political Detention Centre from October 20 to November 4, 2024.
On November 10, a source informed Tibet Times that Tashi Wangchuk had been arrested from his residence in Ga Kyegudo. After being forcefully arrested,no one has heard from him. The same source said that Tashi was detained for his political views and that the Chinese government offices had warned Tashi “not to interfere with the government’s undertakings with regards to the Tibetan language.”
In 2015, Tibetan language and education rights activist Tashi Wangchuk raised concerns about efforts to eradicate education in the Tibetan language and the dangers of (substandard) language proficiency among Tibetan children under the Chinese government’s policies. He appealed that the Tibetan language must be protected as specified and guaranteed under the People’s Republic of China Regional Ethnic Autonomy Law.
In an interview with a New York Times journalist based in Beijing, he highlighted the educational problems in the Tibetan regions. Due to his advocacy and activism, Tashi was arrested with undisclosed information by the Yushu local police on January 27, 2015. He was held incommunicado until March 24, 2015, and detained for almost two years.
On May 22, 2018, the Yushul Intermediate People’s Court sentenced Tashi Wangchuk to five years in prison on charges of “engaging in separatist activities.” On January 14, 2021, he was released from prison, but his freedom of movement was restricted and monitored. He has been repeatedly confined, interrogated, and subjected to torture.
