In a call for urgent action, Human Rights Watch is urging Chinese authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Zhang Yadi, a 22-year-old advocate for Tibetan rights who was studying in France. If convicted under Article 103(2) of China’s Criminal Law, which criminalizes “inciting others to split the country and undermine national unity,” she could face up to five years in prison, or potentially fifteen years if deemed a ringleader.
Zhang, also known as Tara, was actively engaged in promoting Tibetan rights and fostering interethnic dialogue through her work with a Chinese language digital platform while studying at the École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris. She had returned to her home country during the summer holidays when she was arrested on July 31, 2025, in Shangri-La, a city located in Yunnan province. It is reported that she is currently detained in Changsha City, Hunan province.
“Zhang Yadi is being threatened with years of imprisonment simply for speaking out against racial injustice and peacefully exercising her rights, much like countless young people around the globe,” stated Yalkun Uluyol, a China researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The authorities appear to be intimidated by any efforts to foster understanding across ethnic divides that diverge from the official narrative of the Chinese Communist Party.”
Human Rights Watch is calling for all charges against Zhang to be dropped and for her right to legal counsel of her choosing to be respected. On September 16, noted human rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong faced detention when he traveled to Changsha to assist Zhang’s family, although he was released shortly after, with reports indicating that his phone was confiscated.
Zhang is affiliated with Chinese Youth Stand for Tibet, a group that formed in the wake of the November 2022 White Paper Protests, where demonstrators held up blank sheets of paper to voice their dissent against Beijing’s stringent Zero-COVID policy. This group aims to cultivate a deeper understanding of Tibetan culture among Chinese-speaking communities, challenge Han chauvinism, and address issues of ethnic conflict and prejudice. Their recent publications have included profiles of Tibetan musicians and entrepreneurs, as well as reflective writings that present Tibetan perspectives on the region.
Fluent in Chinese, French, Tibetan, and English, Zhang was set to begin her graduate studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London in September after receiving a scholarship. However, her aspirations now hang in the balance as she faces the grim reality of detention.
The context of Zhang’s situation reflects a broader trend among Chinese international students who have become increasingly aware of the severe repression faced by ethnic minorities, particularly in Tibet and Xinjiang. Many of these students, having experienced racism in their host countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, have found inspiration in global racial and social justice movements like Black Lives Matter. However, upon returning to China, they risk facing intense surveillance, harassment, and even arbitrary detention, underscoring the risks associated with advocating for human rights.
Historically, the Chinese government has persecuted individuals who have sought to improve the plight of ethnic minorities. This includes the case of Ilham Tohti, a Uyghur economics professor who was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2014 for “separatism” after creating a platform intended to foster discussion between Uyghurs and Han Chinese. His students and volunteers also faced imprisonment for their involvement. Other prominent figures, such as the late Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo and activist Hu Jia, have similarly faced repercussions for their advocacy of Tibetan rights.
In light of Zhang Yadi’s situation, Human Rights Watch is urging governments worldwide, particularly France and the United Kingdom, to publicly advocate for her release. The French government is encouraged to address Zhang’s prosecution as an infringement on the rights to freedom of expression and association for Chinese students studying in France. Concurrently, the British government should take action to ensure Zhang’s immediate release so she may commence her studies in England.
“Zhang Yadi should be preparing for graduate school in London, not facing imprisonment,” Uluyol emphasized. “It is imperative for France, the UK, and other nations to pressure Beijing for her release and support her return to her academic pursuits.”
