Sister's Desperate Fight: Tibetan Woman Protests in Lhasa for Imprisoned Brother
Gonpo Kyi stages a fresh protest in Lhasa, demanding a retrial and justice for her brother Dorje Tashi, who is serving a life sentence.
In a poignant display of familial love and resilience, a Tibetan woman named Gonpo Kyi has once again taken to the streets of Lhasa. On October 26, she staged a peaceful protest outside the High People’s Court of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), demanding justice and a legal review for her brother, Dorje Tashi, who remains behind bars serving a life sentence.
The protest was captured in a video circulating on X (formerly Twitter), showing Gonpo Kyi pleading for a retrial of her brother's case and seeking the simple, human right to visit him in prison. This latest action is part of a grueling, multi-year campaign she has led to free her brother from what she and her supporters believe is a politically motivated conviction.
A History of Struggle and Sacrifice
Gonpo Kyi’s fight for Dorje Tashi has not been a series of isolated events, but a sustained campaign of defiance. Over the years, she has employed various forms of non-violent protest, including:
- Solo demonstrations and sit-ins.
- Prayer vigils.
- Multiple hunger strikes conducted outside police stations, government offices, and courts in Lhasa.
The desperation of the family reached a breaking point on August 20, 2025, when Gonpo Kyi reportedly attempted suicide by jumping from the second floor of the Yak Hotel in Lhasa. This extreme act followed the denial of her request to visit her brother and allegations that she had been placed under hotel arrest. The fall left her in critical condition with serious injuries.
The Case of Dorje Tashi
Dorje Tashi was once a prominent businessman in Tibet. His life took a drastic turn following the protests of 2008, after which he was arrested. Reports indicate that during his initial detention, he was subjected to months of torture.
In 2010, the Lhasa Intermediate People’s Court conducted a closed-door trial, ultimately sentencing him to life imprisonment on charges of loan fraud. While the state maintains the charges were financial, supporters argue the sentencing was a political move. Interestingly, his brother, Dorje Tseten, was sentenced to six years in the same case and has since been released.
Legal Dead-Ends and State Repression
The family has exhausted nearly every legal avenue available to them. In 2020, Chinese authorities rejected appeals filed by Dorje Tashi's lawyer and relatives who were seeking a reconsideration of the conviction.
The cost of this pursuit has been high. Between 2023 and 2024, Gonpo Kyi, her husband Choekyong, and her brother Dorje Tseten reportedly staged more than seven hunger strikes. During this period, the family allegedly faced severe repercussions, including:
- Repeated physical assaults and beatings by police.
- Intense interrogations.
- Both short-term and long-term detentions.
International Outcry
The plight of Dorje Tashi has transcended borders, drawing the attention of global powers and human rights organizations. The United States and the European Union have both expressed grave concerns regarding his imprisonment.
During the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council in 2022, the European Union specifically called for the immediate and unconditional release of several individuals, including Dorje Tashi. Furthermore, the US Department of State highlighted his detention in its 2021 and 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices on China, using his case as a benchmark for the human rights conditions within the region.