Chinese Authorities Arrest Tibetan Man for Initiating Unregistered Buddhist Group

A Tibetan man from Shigatse, Tibet, has been detained by local authorities after being accused of initiating a Buddhist group on a social media platform without proper registration. His arrest has raised concerns as his whereabouts remain unknown, and his family has not been informed of his detention.

The incident began when Samphel, a cleaner at Sakya Monastery, was summoned to the police station of Gidhong township on October 25th, 2023. During his visit, his mobile phone was confiscated and searched, and he was interrogated about his involvement in the unregistered Buddhist group. Following the interrogation, he was taken into custody at the Shigatse police station, where he has been held since.

According to sources close to Samphel, the Buddhist group in question had been involved in charitable activities, including providing food to stray dogs and other animals on auspicious days, and sharing teachings of great lamas with its members. However, the group’s failure to register with the authorities appears to be the reason behind Samphel’s arrest.

Samphel’s family is deeply concerned about his whereabouts and well-being. They have not received any official information about his detention, leaving them in distress over his safety and situation.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the Chinese government’s ongoing crackdown on religious freedom in Tibet. In recent years, the Chinese authorities have imposed stricter regulations on religious practices, resulting in the arrests and detention of numerous Tibetans who sought to express their religious beliefs.

The international community has consistently criticized the Chinese government’s treatment of Tibetans, calling for an end to religious persecution and urging greater respect for human rights in the region.