TAKE ACTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

ACTIVIST DETAINED FOR SHOWING PHOTO OF DALAI LAMA

China UA 86.26

Zhang Yi, a Chinese activist, was detained in Lhasa, Tibet, on July 1, 2026 after showing a photograph of the Dalai Lama on his mobile phone while visiting Sera Monastery. He was formally arrested on July 28, 2026 on suspicion of “inciting separatism”. Zhang Yi is a person with a disability and concerns remain about his wellbeing in detention. His detention appears to stem solely from the peaceful exercise of his human rights.

Call on the Chinese authorities to immediately release Zhang Yi - send your message to the Chinese Ambassador to the United States, Xie Fang, using our email writing tool.

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Ambassador

Xie

Fang

Chinese Embassy in the United States

Dear Secretary Wang,

I am concerned about the detention of Zhang Yi (张毅), a Chinese human rights defender who was detained in Lhasa, Tibet, on July 1, 2026 and formally arrested on July 28, 2026 on suspicion of “inciting separatism” (煽动分裂国家罪). Zhang Yi was visiting Sera Monastery in Lhasa with his younger brother when he showed a photograph of the Dalai Lama on his mobile phone to a Tibetan worshipper. Shortly afterwards, he was detained by police. The authorities have not publicly disclosed the factual basis for the accusation against him.

On August 17, 2026, a lawyer sought information from the authorities about the possibility of meeting Zhang Yi. The authorities reportedly declined to arrange a meeting and indicated that the case would soon be transferred to the procuratorate for review and prosecution. To date, no lawyer or family member has been granted access to Zhang Yi, raising concerns about his wellbeing and his right to due process and a fair trial.

Zhang Yi reportedly suffered torture and other ill-treatment during a previous period of detention, resulting in hearing loss and leaving him with a disability. Therefore, I am deeply concerned about his wellbeing and safety in detention.

I call on you to release Zhang Yi immediately and unconditionally and drop all charges against him. Pending his release, ensure that Zhang Yi has regular, unrestricted access to lawyers of his choice and to his family, as well as access to adequate health care, and that he is not subject to torture or other ill-treatment. Finally, I urge you to end the use of laws, policies, and administrative measures, including the Ethnic Unity and Progress Law, to restrict the peaceful exercise of human rights and to suppress cultural, religious and civic expression.

Yours sincerely,

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