Chinese Authorities Should Immediately and Unconditionally Release Tibetan Rights Advocate Zhang Yadi, Says Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch urges Chinese authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Zhang Yadi, a young advocate for Tibetan rights and former international student in France. Zhang faces charges under article 103(2) of China’s Criminal Law, which prohibits inciting others to split the country and undermine national unity. If convicted, she could face up to five years in prison, or up to 15 years if deemed a ringleader.
Zhang Yadi, also known as Tara, 22, edited a Chinese-language digital platform promoting Tibetan rights and interethnic dialogue while studying in France. She returned to China during summer holidays, where authorities arrested her on July 31, 2025, in Shangri-La, Yunnan province. She is believed to be held in a detention center in her hometown of Changsha City, Hunan province.
“The Chinese authorities are threatening to imprison 22-year-old student-activist Zhang Yadi for years simply because she spoke out against racial injustice and peacefully exercised her rights—just like many young people around the world,” said Yalkun Uluyol, China researcher at Human Rights Watch.
Human Rights Watch calls on Chinese authorities to drop all charges against Zhang and respect her right to legal counsel of her choosing.
On September 16, prominent Chinese human rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong was briefly detained when he traveled to Changsha to provide legal assistance to Zhang’s family. Though later released, his phone was reportedly confiscated.
### Zhang Yadi and Chinese Youth Stand for Tibet
Zhang is a member of Chinese Youth Stand for Tibet, a group that emerged after the November 2022 White Paper Protests, during which demonstrators held up blank sheets of paper to oppose Beijing’s draconian Zero-COVID policy. The group publishes articles on Substack aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of Tibetan culture within Chinese-speaking communities, challenging Han chauvinism, and addressing ethnic conflicts and prejudice.
Recent posts have included profiles of a Tibetan musician and a female entrepreneur, a letter from a mainland Chinese reader, and writings that provide Tibetan perspectives on Tibet.
Fluent in Chinese, French, Tibetan, and English, Zhang was studying at the École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris (ESCP Business School) in Paris. She had earned a scholarship to begin graduate studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London this September.
### Transnational Repression of Chinese Students Activists
Some Chinese international students have become increasingly concerned about severe repression in Tibet and Xinjiang after experiencing racism in their host countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Inspired by racial and social justice movements such as Black Lives Matter in the United States, they have spoken out on these issues.
However, Beijing subjects these students to surveillance, harassment, and other forms of transnational repression. Many face risks of arbitrary detention and prosecution upon returning home.
### Historical Context of Persecution of Ethnic Minority Advocates
The Chinese government has a long history of persecuting those working to improve the situation of ethnic minorities. This includes Ilham Tohti, a Uyghur economics professor and Sakharov Prize winner imprisoned for life in 2014 on separatism charges after creating a website to foster dialogue between Uyghurs and Han Chinese. Seven of his students and volunteers for the platform were also imprisoned.
Likewise, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo and activist Hu Jia repeatedly spoke out for Tibetan rights and faced persecution.
### Calls to Action for International Governments
Human Rights Watch urges concerned governments to raise Zhang Yadi’s case publicly with the Chinese government and press for her immediate and unconditional release.
– The French government should highlight Zhang’s prosecution as an infringement on the rights to freedom of expression and association of Chinese students studying in France.
– The British government should seek her immediate release to allow her to begin her studies in England.
“Zhang Yadi should be starting graduate school in London, not starting jail,” said Yalkun Uluyol. France, the UK, and other governments should press Beijing to free her and return her to her studies.
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https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/09/23/china-free-student-advocate-for-tibetan-rights