Dharamshala — Five Tibetan NGOs from Dharanmshala strongly condemned the Vietnamese authorities who, in collaboration with the Chinese authorities, cremated the renowned Tibetan spiritual leader Tulku Hungkar Dorjee Rinpohce in Vietnam, without the consent of his family and without investigating the suspicious cause of his death.
Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche was a Tibetan spiritual master, scholar, writer, translator, artist and humanitarian. Rinpoche built school, library and hospital for Tibetans. Rinpoche disappeared in September 2024, after Chinese authorities from the Qinghai Provincial Police Department interrogated him about his composition of a long-life prayer for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and accused him of failing to implement Chinese government education policies in his Golok schools. At the end of September 2024, he fled to Vietnam and lived there until March 25, 2025, under difficult circumstances. Sadly, Rinpoche died on March 29, 2025 in Vietnam, after being arrested by Vietnamese police and Chinese agents on March 25, 2025.
The Central Tibetan Administration, Tibetans in Tibet and in exile, Tibetan NGOs and Human Rights Watch called on the Vietnamese government to investigate the sudden and mysterious death of Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche, in Vietnam. They also demanded justice for Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche, and the return of his body, as well as allow make offering to him in his monastery. However, the Vietnamese and Chinese authorities ignored their requests and wishes, and cremated Tulku Hungkar Dorjee Rinpoche at 1pm local time on April 20, 2025. Consequently, Tibetan NGOs strongly condemn the Vietnamese government for having cremated Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche without his family's consent, thereby violating international law.
Dr Lobsang Yangtso from the International Tibet Network (ITN), Tenzin Pasang from Students for a Free Tibet-India (SFT), Ju Tenkyong, from Amnye Machen Institute, Sonam Tsering from the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), Tsering Dolma from the Tibetan Women's Association (TWA) and Geden Tsepphel from the National Democratic Party of Tibet (NDPT) held a press conference on the cremation of Tulku Hungkar Dorje Rinpohce in Vietnam on April 20, 2025. The press conference was held in the lobby of the Tibetan Settlement Office, Dharamshala, on April 21, 2025.
Ju Tenkyong, Director of 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, Secretary of 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, President of 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 Tulk Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche's final testimony risks remaining in fearful silence. We wish to see light before it turns to ashes."
Tenzin Passang, National Director of 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, and now in the chilling attempt to bury the truth, his body has been snatched and cremated against his family's will. 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."
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.
