Tulku Palden Wangyal, the head lama of the Choegyal monasteries in Botoed, Gardhab, Ngyagle, and Shungkor in Gonjo (Chinese: Gongjiue) County, has died in custody at the age of 53 after prolonged detention, according to reliable sources.
Tulku Palden Wangyal was deeply devoted to the well-being of the local Tibetan community. He actively advocated for the preservation of Tibetan culture, encouraged loyalty to Tibetan identity, and taught the importance of unity by discouraging internal conflict among Tibetans. However, his respected position and teachings aroused suspicion among the Chinese authorities. As a result, he was forcibly arrested and imprisoned for approximately seven to eight years.
Tulku Palden Wangyal, initially held in Gonjo County Prison, was later transferred to Chamdo (Ch: Changdu) and Lhasa, where he endured increasingly harsh conditions and brutal torture. Despite multiple appeals for his release, the Chinese authorities refused and imposed a strict ban on any contact with him.
In 2025, he was forcibly transferred to Gansu Province, where he continued to face brutal torture. He died in custody on 19 July. His death has caused deep grief among all affiliated monasteries.
His death is not only a tragic loss for the Tibetan community but also a poignant example of the brutal repression Tibetans face daily. The continued torture and intimidation of religious leaders, as in the case of Tulku Palden Wangyal, illustrates the lack of safety and dignity denied to Tibetans. Recently, prominent Tibetan woman Gonpo Kyi was also remanded in detention, where she jumped from a window in desperation after enduring severe restrictions and abuse. These events clearly demonstrate that the Chinese authorities are systematically suppressing religious freedom, freedom of movement, and fundamental human rights with violence.
Support Tibetans in their struggle for freedom by donating here!
