Tibetan religious leader dies in Chinese 'custody'

Sources told CTA website that Chinese officials have notified senior religious figures at Lungngon Monastery of his death on 2 April 2025 but have refused to return his body or provide details about the circumstances of his death.

Tulku Hungkar Dorje was reportedly detained by Chinese authorities in 2024.

In August 2024, Chinese officials claimed he had “gone missing” shortly after he gave a public teaching on 21 July 2024, the news website said.

Sources told CTA that Chinese authorities targeted Tulku Hungkar Dorje on fabricated charges after he declined to arrange an elaborate reception for the Chinese government-appointed Panchen Lama during his visit to the Golog region.

The death of a well-respected Tibetan religious figure follows a disturbing pattern of Chinese authorities targeting influential Tibetan figures who promote Tibetan culture, language, and identity. The detention, torture, and killing of respected leaders like Tulku Hungkar Dorje is a deliberate strategy to silence those who advocate for Tibetans’ fundamental rights, the news portal reported.

Tulku Hungkar Dorje is known for his extensive humanitarian and educational efforts in the Tibetan region.