Chine : Human Rights Watch Demande la Libération Immédiate de Zhang Yadi, Étudiante Activiste Pro-Tibet

China Urged to Release Tibetan Rights Advocate Zhang Yadi

Human Rights Watch is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Zhang Yadi, a 22-year-old Tibetan rights advocate and former student in France, who was arrested in China. She faces potential imprisonment under Article 103(2) of China's Criminal Code for "inciting others to divide the country and undermine national unity," which carries a sentence of up to 5 years, or up to 15 years if deemed a "ringleader."

Details of the Arrest

Zhang Yadi, also known as Tara, was arrested on July 31, 2025, in Shangri-La, Yunnan province, while on summer vacation in China. At the time of her arrest, she was the editor of a Chinese-language digital platform promoting Tibetan rights and interethnic dialogue. She is reportedly being held in a detention center in Changsha, her hometown in Hunan province.

Human Rights Watch's Statement

"Chinese authorities are threatening to imprison Zhang Yadi, a 22-year-old student activist, for years for denouncing racial injustice and peacefully exercising her rights, as many young people do around the world," said Yalkun Uluyol, China researcher at Human Rights Watch. "The authorities appear to fear that people who build bridges between ethnic groups are deviating from the Chinese Communist Party's official line."

Legal Concerns and Advocacy

Human Rights Watch is urging Chinese authorities to drop all charges against Zhang Yadi and ensure her right to legal counsel of her choosing. Jiang Tianyong, a prominent Chinese human rights lawyer, was briefly detained on September 16 while attempting to provide legal assistance to Zhang Yadi's family in Changsha. His phone was reportedly confiscated upon his release.

Zhang Yadi's Activism and Background

Zhang Yadi is a member of Chinese Youth Stand for Tibet (华语青年挺藏会), a group that emerged after the November 2022 "white paper" protests against Beijing's "zero-Covid" policy. The group publishes articles on Substack aimed at fostering understanding of Tibetan culture, challenging Han chauvinism, and dispelling ethnic conflicts and prejudice. Examples include profiles of Tibetan musicians and entrepreneurs, and writings offering Tibetan perspectives on Tibet.

Education and International Connections

Fluent in Chinese, French, Tibetan, and English, Zhang Yadi studied at the École supérieure de commerce de Paris (ESCP). She had been awarded a scholarship to begin graduate studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London in September.

Crackdown on Overseas Students

Some Chinese students abroad have become increasingly concerned about repression in Tibet and Xinjiang, partly after experiencing racism themselves during the Covid-19 pandemic, and inspired by movements like Black Lives Matter. Beijing subjects these students to surveillance, harassment, and other forms of transnational repression, risking arbitrary detention and prosecution upon their return home.

Broader Context of Persecution

The Chinese government has a history of persecuting individuals advocating for ethnic minorities. Ilham Tohti, a Uyghur economist and Sakharov Prize laureate, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2014 for "separatism," related to his creation of a website designed to foster dialogue between Uyghurs and Han Chinese. The late Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo and activist Hu Jia also advocated for Tibetan rights.

International Pressure Needed

Governments should publicly discuss Zhang Yadi's case with the Chinese government and press for her immediate and unconditional release. The French government should argue that her prosecution interferes with the rights to freedom of expression and association for Chinese students studying in France. The UK government should request her release so she can begin her studies in England.

Call to Action

"Zhang Yadi should be starting graduate studies in London, not going to prison," concluded Yalkun Uluyol. "France, the United Kingdom, and other countries should press Beijing to release her so she can resume her education."