Three years have passed since the arrest of a well-known Tibetan writer and poet in northwestern China, but his whereabouts, sentence, and well-being remain unknown, despite repeated appeals from his family for information, according to two sources who spoke with Radio Free Asia.
The writer, Gendun Lhundrub, was a former monk at Rongwo Monastery in Rebgong county of Malho Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai province, China. He was detained on December 2, 2020.
Authorities provided no reasons for his arrest, which came after a period of police monitoring of his activities for signs of dissent against Chinese policies.
Chinese authorities often target Tibetan writers, artists, and singers who promote Tibetan identity and culture or criticize Chinese rule in the region, considering their work as threats to national security or acts of separatism.
Despite requests from Lhundrub’s family, there has been no response from authorities regarding his whereabouts, sentence, or well-being.
Officials have not allowed any contact with Lhundrub, and no documentation of his sentence has been shared with his family.
Long List of Arrests
Lhundrub joins a list of Tibetan writers and poets who have been arrested by Chinese authorities. In 2016, Tashi Wangchuk, a Tibetan language advocate, was also arrested and later released after serving time in prison.
Gendun Lhundru, born in 1974, is highly respected for his poetry and literary skills among Tibetans worldwide.
Written by Tenzin Pema for RFA Tibetan. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.