A Tibetan monk who was one of China’s most prominent political prisoners has died in prison, a relative and human rights activists said yesterday, raising the prospect of an increase in resentment of the government in Tibetan regions.
The US, EU and international rights groups had called for the release of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, 65, who died on Sunday in Chuandong Prison in Chengdu, his cousin, Geshe Nyima, told reporters by telephone from India.
Tenzin Delek was serving a 20-year sentence on charges of “crimes of terror and [the] incitement of separatism.”
The cause of death was not clear, Geshe Nyima said.
Authorities had notified Tenzin Delek’s sisters on Sunday, but did not elaborate on the circumstances of his death, Geshe Nyima added.
Tenzin Delek’s sisters were outside the prison early yesterday, weeping and calling for the return of his body, Geshe Nyima said.
Telephone calls seeking comment from officials in Chuandong prison went unanswered.
“Rinpoche is not an ordinary person; he is one of the most respected leaders,” Students for a Free Tibet Asia director Dorjee Tseten said.
The rights group has campaigned for Tenzin Delek’s release.
“His death is a shock for all of us,” Dorjee Tseten added.
China has ruled Tibet since troops “peacefully liberated” the region in 1950. Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama fled into India in 1959 after an abortive uprising against Chinese rule.
Beijing maintains a tough stance against any sign of anti-government protests in the region and denounces the Dalai Lama as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” who seeks to use violent methods to establish an independent Tibet.
The Dalai Lama says he wants genuine autonomy for Tibet and denies espousing violence.
Tibetan writer Tsering Woeser described Tenzin Delek as “one of the world’s most well-known Tibetan political prisoners in the 21st century,” adding that more than 30,000 Tibetans had signed a petition urging authorities to release him.
Tenzin Delek was a supporter of the Dalai Lama, Dorjee Tseten said, adding he had heard about Tenzin Delek’s death from five sources.
Tenzin Delek was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve in 2002, according to Students for a Free Tibet.
His sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment and reduced to a term of 20 years.
Supporters said he had been in poor health in hospital and had called for his release on medical grounds.
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