In a gripping tale echoing concerns of human rights, the Vietnamese government faces pressure to delve into the mysterious death of a revered Tibetan lama, Humkar Dorje Rinpoche, who passed away in Ho Chi Minh City on March 29, 2025. This solemn event raised alarm bells within the Tibetan community, as whispers of his alleged arrest by Vietnamese and Chinese authorities circulated among his devoted followers. Although his monastery claimed he succumbed to illness during a retreat, many remain skeptical of the official narrative.
Maya Wang, associate China director at Human Rights Watch, stressed the gravity of Humkar Dorje’s untimely demise amidst a backdrop of stringent repression faced by Tibetans. “The Vietnamese authorities should credibly and impartially investigate these claims,” she urged, insisting on transparency and autopsy findings to be shared with his family. The lama, aged 56, was notably the head of the Lung Ngon monastery and an influential educator, profoundly impacting the lives of countless children in his region.
His fate entwines with a broader Chinese crackdown on Tibetan cultural educators, igniting fresh fears about security harassment. Despite ongoing concerns regarding his disappearance since November 2024, all discussion was allegedly forbidden by local officials until a death certificate was revealed on April 1, further deepening doubts about the layered narrative surrounding his passing.
According to senior monks, the high lama exhibited signs of illness before his mysterious retreat. However, followers in exile allege that he had been subjected to intense police interrogation, followed by his detention by Vietnamese authorities collaborating with Chinese operatives. This contradiction poses questions about the monastery’s statement, raising fears of coercion amid Chinese oversight of Tibetan religious institutions.
Humkar Dorje, historically compliant with the authorities, had been previously lauded for his educational initiatives. Yet, his visibility ended abruptly with reports of him fleeing to Vietnam amid rising government scrutiny. This tumultuous backdrop portrays a dark portrait of transnational repression, with Chinese tactics targeting Tibetan dissenters abroad, jeopardising the safety of those like Humkar Dorje.
Activists are alarmed by unverified reports suggesting that others from Lung Ngon monastery may have been detained alongside the lama in Vietnam, signalling potential unlawful repatriation to China, where severe mistreatment is feared. As per international law principles, particularly nonrefoulement, Vietnam must ensure these individuals are not returned to dangerous situations.
The call is clear: the Vietnamese government must heed the Minnesota Protocol and unlock the veil shrouding the circumstances of Humkar Dorje’s death. An impartial investigation, inclusive of autopsy outcomes, is imperative. The international community’s involvement is crucial, as it seeks answers and accountability, striving to prevent further complicity in abusive practices between the two nations.
This article outlines the suspicious death of Tibetan lama Humkar Dorje Rinpoche in Vietnam, amid allegations of state involvement from both Vietnamese and Chinese authorities. Human Rights Watch has called for a thorough investigation, given the lama’s significance in education and community in Tibet. Concerns about the broader implications of transnational repression and the safety of Tibetan exiles were highlighted, underscoring the need for international attention and accountability.
In summary, the suspicious death of Tibetan high lama Humkar Dorje Rinpoche demands an urgent and impartial investigation by the Vietnamese government, given the overlapping concerns of human rights and potential international law violations. The case highlights the ongoing crackdown on Tibetan cultural identities and the lengths to which authorities may go to stifle dissent. Activists and followers worldwide are united in pressing for transparency, accountability, and the safeguarding of vulnerable individuals against transnational repression.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
