FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tibetan Political NGOs Condemn Cremation of Deceased Tibetan Lama in Vietnam Without Family Consent Following his Death in Custody; Demand International Investigation
Body Reportedly Cremated Before Inquiry Fueling Suspicions of Chinese Involvement in Arrest and Death of Tulku Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche
(Dharamshala, 21 April 2025)- Tibetan Political NGOs voice vehement condemnation following reports of cremation of Tulku Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche, a highly revered Tibetan leader, without family consent. Rinpoche is reported to have tragically died in custody in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in late March, under suspicious circumstances that demand immediate scrutiny. Disturbing information indicates that Rinpoches’s remains were cremated in Vietnam without the consent of his family. The Rinpoches’ detention, his untimely death in custody, and the subsequent unauthorised cremation constitute grave violations of international legal standards and can be seen to represent a deliberate obstruction of justice, raising serious questions regarding China’s involvement in his apprehension and death.
Tibetan Political NGOs reiterate their urgent demand for a full and transparent international investigation into the circumstances surrounding Tulku Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche’s death.
Ju Tenkyong, Amnye Machen Institute said, “In the future, the five monks who came to Vietnam to retrieve Rinpoche’s body will face extreme danger to their safety. Even now, Lung Ngon Monastery is facing immense difficulties, and forwarding and disseminating photos and information about Rinpoche is strictly forbidden. The monastery has been threatened with shutdown if it violates orders from the Chinese government. The reason for the huge secrecy with which Rinpoche’s cremation is being conducted is, not only did the Chinese government murder Rinpoche under an evil strategy, but it is also absolutely clear that it is an attempt to conceal a matter of significance that is on Rinpoche’s body.”
Sonam Tsering, Tibetan Youth Congress said, “We condemn the Vietnamese government’s handling of Tulku Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche’s death, including its apparent complicity with China, opaque investigation, and refusal to release his body to his family. International action is needed to hold China accountable for its transnational repression.”
Tsering Dolma, Tibetan Women’s Association added, “The lack of explanation regarding the cause of Tulku Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche’s death following his detention is clearly unjust and shows disregard for human dignity. The world must not turn a blind eye as Tulku Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche’s final testimony risks remaining in fearful silence. We wish to see light before it turns to ashes.”
Tenzin Passang, Students for a Free Tibet – India said: “The life of the revered spiritual leader, Tulku Hungkar Rinpoche has been extinguished under the cloud of suspicions, followed by the unauthorized cremation of his body without family’s will in a Vietnam under heavy security, strongly suggests a chilling act of transnational repression orchestrated by Chinese authorities.This is not just a loss, it’s an outrage, deliberate disrespect aimed at silencing the truth of his persecution for simply cherishing Tibetan language and culture. The world must rise up and demand immediate, independent international investigation. Justice for Hungkar Rinpoche cannot and will not be reduced to ashes.”
Dr. Lobsang Yangtso, International Tibet Network added, “Tulku Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche was a highly respected Tibetan Buddhist Lama who excelled as an educator, philosopher, poet, artist, and writer. He provided spiritual guidance to thousands of followers across the globe. His contributions to Tibet included establishing a hospital, library, and facilities for elderly care. Throughout his life, Rinpoche committed himself to safeguarding and promoting Tibetan language and culture despite ongoing threats from China. His unexpected and suspicious death represents a profound loss that extends beyond the Tibetan community to people worldwide. His legacy continues to motivate a new generation of Tibetans, ensuring that his life’s work and sacrifice will not be forgotten.”
Tulku Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche, 56, had reportedly escaped into exile in Vietnam after facing relentless persecution from Chinese authorities in Tibet for his unwavering commitment to preserving Tibetan language and cultural identity. Shockingly, credible sources indicate his arrest in Ho Chi Minh City on 25 March in an operation allegedly involving both Vietnamese police and Chinese agents. He died just days later while reportedly in custody. The Vietnamese authorities’ unsubstantiated claim of a heart attack, the denial of family access to his body, and the complete absence of official documentation point to a deliberate cover-up.
This development coincides with deeply troubling reports of an escalated crackdown and intensified security measures in the local area of his monastery in Golog, Tibet, further fueling global concern and demands for immediate international intervention. Tibetan NGOs are also deeply concerned for the well-being of the monks in Golog, where eyewitness accounts detail an immediate and intense crackdown at his monastery—surveillance has spiked, movement is heavily restricted, and monks and laypeople face ongoing intimidation.
Tibetan Political NGOs are:
- Calling for full and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Tulku Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche’s death and for his remains to be returned to his family in Tibet.
- Urging immediate safeguards and security measures for the five monks from Lung Ngon Monastery, currently in Vietnam, who are confronting grave dangers and potential threats.
- Calling on foreign governments to press the Vietnamese and Chinese governments for answers, and to condemn the escalated crackdown and intensified security measures at Lung Ngon monastery in Tibet.
- Urging the United Nations to establish an investigation into the possible extra-judicial execution of Tulku Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche, to identify everyone responsible for ordering, planning, and executing any operations connected with the circumstances surrounding Tulku Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche’s death.
Media Contacts:
Sonam Tsering, Tibetan Youth Congress, +91 7590920978 gensec@tibetanyouthcongress.org
Dr. Lobsang Yangtso, International Tibet Network, +91 8826507768 lobsang@tibetnetwork.org
Tenzin Lekdhen, Students for a Free Tibet India, +91 8351807484 lekdhen@studentsforafreetibet.org
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- Human Rights Watch, ‘China/Vietnam: Suspicious Death of Tibetan High Lama’: https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/04/09/china/vietnam-suspicious-death-tibetan-high-lama
- https://www.rfa.org/english/tibet/2025/04/15/tibet-buddhist-leader/
- https://tibetnetwork.org/joint-statement-on-the-unexplained-death-of-tibetan-abbot/
- Five Tibetan Political NGOs are the Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Women’s Association, National Democratic Party of Tibet, Students for Free Tibet-India, and International Tibet Network.