Tashi began voicing concern publicly about the lack of Tibetan-language education after the authorities in Kyekudo, (Yushu in Chinese) stopped local monasteries and a private school in the area from teaching Tibetan to laypeople, according to the Times. In a 2016 New York Times mini-documentary, Wangchuk solemnly confided, “I can feel my ability to use and understand Tibetan language slipping away.”
The documentary, called A Tibetan’s Journey for Justice, focused on Wangchuk’s journey to Beijing to appeal for the protection of Tibetan language rights within the framework of the Chinese constitution and legal system.
Following his interviews with the New York Times, Wangchuk was secretly detained on January 27th, 2016. For 56 days after his arrest, his family had no information on his whereabouts. Tashi Wangchuk did not stand trial until January, 2018, spending almost two years behind bars after his arrest. His eventual trial took place behind closed doors—journalists and foreign diplomats who showed up to the court in an attempt to observe the proceedings were denied entry. On May 22, 2018, he was sentenced to five years in prison for the charge of “inciting separatism.” Tashi appealed his sentence, but on August 13, 2018, China rejected the arguments made by him and his lawyer.
TAKE ACTION!
Call on China to release Tashi Wangchuk immediately and unconditionally!
You can also directly contact the Chief Procurator (Prosecutor) where Tashi Wangchuk is being detained:
Chief Procurator of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture People’s Procuratorate
Yushu Zangzu Zizhizhou Renmin Jianchayuan
Qionglong Lu, Jiegu Zhen, Yushu Shi
Yushu Zangzu Zizhizhou
Qinghai 815000
People’s Republic of China