Tibetan head lama Tulku Palden Wangyal dies in Chinese custody after years of torture

Tulku Palden Wangyal, head lama of the Choegyal monasteries in Gonjo

On July 19, 2025, Tulku Palden Wangyal, the 53-year-old head lama of four Choegyal monasteries in Gonjo County, died in a Chinese prison in Gansu province. His death follows nearly eight years of detention, systematic torture, and denial of medical care. The Central Tibetan Administration describes his passing as yet another piece of evidence of Beijing’s systematic suppression of Tibetan religious leaders.

Years of detention and transfers

Tulku Palden Wangyal was arrested by Chinese authorities between 2018 and 2019. His detention began at the Gonjo County detention center, after which he was transferred to Chamdo and subsequently to Lhasa. In the final months of his life, he was transferred to Gansu province, where the torture intensified and he ultimately died.

Throughout his imprisonment, the lama experienced increasingly harsh conditions. Chinese authorities denied all contact with family members and ignored repeated requests for his release. The strict secrecy surrounding his detention fits a broader pattern in which Tibetan prisoners are subjected to enforced disappearances, with families receiving no information about the whereabouts or health condition of their loved ones for months.

Threat to Chinese control

Tulku Palden Wangyal was known for his dedication to preserving Tibetan culture and identity. He taught Tibetans the importance of unity and encouraged them to avoid internal disputes. These activities, though peaceful in nature, were viewed by Chinese authorities as a direct threat to Beijing’s control over the region.

The head lama of the Choegyal monasteries in the villages of Botoed, Gardhab, Ngyagle, and Shungkor was deeply rooted in his community. His influence and respect among local Tibetans made him a target for Chinese security services, which view every form of Tibetan leadership as potentially subversive.

Broader context of religious persecution

The death of Tulku Palden Wangyal does not stand alone. In 2024, the 38-year-old monk Losel from Sera Monastery died in detention after brutal interrogations without medical care. Monk Tenzin Dorjee from Shelkar Monastery took his own life after inhumane torture for spreading the teachings of the Dalai Lama.

Recent figures reveal the scale of the repression. Human rights organizations estimate that there are between 500 and 2,000 political prisoners in Tibet. The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy documented 63 cases of enforced disappearances over the past four years, with the actual number likely higher due to underreporting out of fear of reprisals.

Transfer to Gansu: a deadly pattern

The transfer of Tulku Palden Wangyal to Gansu province shortly before his death points to a disturbing pattern. Gansu has become a location to which Tibetan prisoners are transferred, often with fatal consequences. In October 2024, monk Kunchok Dekpa from Tashi Monastery in Gansu was arrested for alleged contact with individuals outside the region.

Chinese authorities use these transfers strategically to isolate prisoners from their communities and avoid international attention. The remote location of prisons in Gansu makes independent oversight practically impossible, allowing torture and mistreatment to take place with impunity.

International responsibility

The Central Tibetan Administration has called for international recognition of the injustice surrounding Tulku Palden Wangyal’s death. His passing underscores the ongoing crisis in Tibet, where religious freedom, freedom of movement, and freedom of expression are severely curtailed.

The systematic persecution of Tibetan religious leaders like Tulku Palden Wangyal constitutes a clear violation of international human rights treaties that China has signed. His death after years of torture and medical neglect illustrates the reality behind China’s claims of “stability” and “harmony” in Tibet — a reality of repression, violence, and cultural destruction that requires international attention and action.