Additional Name(s): དབང་ཆེན་, 旺钦
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: China
Ethnic Group: Tibetan
Religion or Belief: Buddhist – Tibetan
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 4 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: April/29/2019
Date of Sentencing: May/8/2019
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Adherence to a Religious Figure Praying Protesting Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Activity
Nature of Charges: Illegal Assembly
Wangchen is imprisoned for his religious activity and for protesting religious freedom conditions.
On April 29, 2019, authorities in Sershul (Shiqu) county, Kardze (Ganzi) TAP, Sichuan province, detained Wangchen for reportedly praying for the release of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama. Wangchen reportedly burnt incense and raised prayer flags behind the Sershul monastery.
On May 8, 2019, the Sershul County People's Court sentenced Wangchen to four years and six months in prison for leading an illegal public protest.
"Wangchen" Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)
"Tibetan Man, Aunt Sentenced For Panchen Lama Protest in Sichuan" Radio Free Asia (RFA)