Tenzin Delek Rinpoche (丹增德勒仁波切) was a Tibetan Buddhist monk and community leader from eastern Tibet who died in prison on July 12, 2015 while serving a life sentence.
Community work and imprisonment
Human Rights Watch describes Tenzin Delek Rinpoche as known for building schools, a monastery and an orphanage and for community and environmental work. He was arrested in 2002 and convicted on terrorism and separatism-related charges after proceedings that Human Rights Watch later said lacked credible evidence and fell short of fair-trial standards. His suspended death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment in 2005.
Health and death
During his thirteen years in detention, human-rights reporting repeatedly raised concerns about his health, access to family visits and medical care. His family applied for medical parole in 2014. Prison authorities informed the family of his death on July 12, 2015.
Human Rights Watch called for an independent investigation. Family allegations concerning intentional or negligent responsibility for his death are recorded as allegations; no independent medical cause or autopsy finding is established in the public record reviewed here.
Related records
Memorial
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