Tibet activists shut down Chinese Consulate, call for justice for Tenzin Delek Rinpoche

DHARAMSALA, JUL 15: Chinese consulate in New York was forced to shut down on July 13 after Tibetan activists entered the premises and demand the return of Tibetan political prisoner and highly revered reincarnate lama, Trulku Tenzin Delek’s body to his family members.

Within a minute or so the three activists from Students for a Free Tibet who carried with them posters of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche were manhandled and dragged out of the premises.

At the same time, family members and students of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche joined supporters for a protest rally in front of the consulate.

The protest was in response to the death in Chinese prison of Tibetan political prisoner and Buddhist teacher Tenzin Delek Rinpoche which was confirmed by his family members who were notified on July 12 by the police in Chengdu, Sichuan province. Tenzin Delek Rinpoche’s family in Tibet are currently demanding that the prison authorities release his body for final Buddhist burial ceremonies.

Pema Yoko, Deputy Director of Students for a Free Tibet says: “We had to go into the Chinese Consulate because Tenzin Delek Rinpoche’s family and Tibetans in Tibet are left with unanswered questions about the suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. Tibetans inside Tibet don’t even have the space to grieve or protest – they are cut off from the world. It is time now for the world governments to strongly condemn China for the custodial death of an innocent man and launch an international inquiry into his death.”

Tenzin Dolkar, Executive Director of Students for a Free Tibet says: “An innocent Tibetan Buddhist monk has died at the hands of the Chinese government. His death is in every sense a political murder – a long, drawn out execution of a Tibetan hero who was a religious leader, environmentalist and rights advocate. We condemn the Chinese government for the murder of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche. His death is a harsh reminder of the violent and brutal reality of Chinese-occupied Tibet and the fatal consequences for those who speak up for truth, justice, human rights and freedom for Tibetans in Tibet.”

Tibetans across the world held demonstrations demanding the release of Rinpoche’s body to his family members so that final funeral rites could be conducted.

Below is a video footage of the protest inside the Chinese consulate:

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