Dharamshala — To honour the extraordinary legacy of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, the International Tibet Network awards the Tenzin Delek Rinpoche Medal of Courage to Tibetan human rights defenders who demonstrate a deep commitment to the freedom and rights of the Tibetan people, often at great personal risk. This year, the Medal of Courage was awarded to Hungkar Dorjee Rinpoche.
Tibetan NGOs, the Tibetan Youth Congress, the Tibetan Women's Association, the National Democratic Party of Tibet, and the International Tibet Network organised a ceremony to award the Tenzin Delek Rinpoche Medal of Courage on October 13, 2025, in the community hall of the Tibetan colony in McLeod Ganj. The Medal of Courage was awarded to Hungkar Dorjee Rinpoche, who was killed by Chinese police in Vietnam in April 2025. Tibetans continue to demand justice for the unjust and unwarranted deaths of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche and Hungkar Rinpoche.
The guest of honor at today's event was Gyari Dolma, Minister of the Department of Security of the Central Tibetan Administration. Other guests included Tsering Dorjee, a student of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, and Ju Tenkjong, a student of Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche. Dr. Lobsang Yangtso of the International Network for Tibet moderated the event, which was attended by representatives of Tibetan NGOs and Tibetans from the Dharamsala area, as well as representatives from the United States, Australia, and Taiwan.
Dr Lobsang Yangtso of International Tibet Network said, "Ten years ago, on 12 July 2015, the world lost a beacon of hope and a champion of nonviolent resistance when Tenzin Delek Rinpoche died under deeply suspicious circumstances in Chinese custody."
"After suffering for 13 years in a Chinese prison for a crime he did not commit, His untimely passing serves as a stark reminder of China's brutal occupation of Tibet and its relentless assault on the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people," she said.
Tsering Dorjee, student of Tenzin Delek Ripoche said, " Rinpoche dedicated his life to preserving the unique Tibetan identity and culture, all while enduring extraordinarily harsh and difficult circumstances under China's oppressive and illegal occupation of Tibet."
Gyari Dolma, the Minister of Department of Security, Central Tibetan Administration said, "Tenzin Delek Rinpoche's profound influence and leadership were perceived as a direct threat by Chinese authorities, who subjected him to over a decade of relentless harassment, intimidation and persecution. Despite this, he remained steadfast in his pursuit of freedom and justice for his people, embodying an unwavering bravery that continues to inspire us all."
Dr Lobsang Yangtso said, "in 2016, honouring his extraordinary legacy, the International Tibet Network proudly established the Tenzin Delek Rinpoche Medal of Courage. This annual award recognises Tibetan human rights defenders who demonstrate a deep commitment to enhancing the freedom and rights of the Tibetan people, often at immense personal risk. The medal aims to provide crucial international recognition and protection for these courageous individuals".
"These individuals, and countless other unnamed political prisoners and human rights defenders, continue to inspire us and a new generation of Tibetan leaders. They embody the enduring spirit of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche and all those who have sacrificed in the struggle for a free Tibet," she added.
"The International Tibet Network remains committed to ending China's occupation of Tibet and restoring fundamental rights to the Tibetan people. We will continue to advocate for the release of all Tibetan political prisoners and work tirelessly to ensure that the sacrifices of individuals like Tenzin Delek Rinpoche are never forgotten," Dr Yangtso declared.
Ju Tenkjong, student of Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche said,"Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche disappeared in September 2024, after Chinese authorities from the Qinghai Provincial Police Department interrogated him about his composition of a long-life prayer for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and accused him of failing to implement Chinese government education policies in his Golok schools. At the end of September 2024, he fled to Vietnam and lived there until March 25, 2025, under difficult circumstances. Sadly, Rinpoche died on March 29, 2025 in Vietnam, after being arrested by Vietnamese police and Chinese agents after March 25, 2025."
From 2016 to 2025, the International Tibet Network awarded the Tenzin Delek Rinpoche Medal of Courage to Tibetan individuals and groups, such as Tibetan prisoner Yeshe Choedon (2016), Tibetan language advocate Tashi Wangchuk (2017), Tibetan filmmakers Dhondup Wangchen and Golog Jigme (2018), Gedun Choekyi Nyima, 11th Panchen Lama of Tibet (2019), Tibetan environmentalist A-Nya Sengdra (2022), Tibetan prisoner Dorjee Tashi and his sister Gonpo kyi (2023), the Dege people, who courageously protested against the Chinese authorities' illegal construction of a dam on their territory (2024), and Hungkar Dorjee Rinpoche (2025).
