New York, Sept. 23 -- Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged Chinese authorities to release Zhang Yadi immediately. The 22-year-old student and Tibetan rights advocate faces serious charges that could result in a lengthy prison sentence. HRW reports that Zhang, also known as Tara, was an international student studying in France before she returned to China for her summer break. She was arrested on July 31, 2025, in Shangri-La, located in Yunnan province, and is currently believed to be detained in her hometown of Changsha City, Hunan province.

According to HRW, Zhang is charged under Article 103(2) of China's Criminal Law, which accuses her of "inciting others to split the country and undermine national unity." If found guilty, she could be ...