Gendun Rinchen, born in 1947 in eastern Tibet, was a respected tour guide in Lhasa known for his peaceful advocacy and concern for human rights. Educated in India, he worked as an engineer before returning to Tibet in 1987, where he later became a travel guide. Deeply troubled by ongoing human rights abuses, he dedicated himself to discreetly documenting violations and sharing information with foreign visitors and diplomats.

On 13 May 1993, Rinchen was arrested along with his neighbor, Lobsang Yonten, for writing letters to European diplomats describing human rights conditions in Tibet. Both men were charged with “stealing state secrets” and engaging in “separatist activities.” Amnesty International has recognized them as prisoners of conscience. The letters reportedly detailed abuses intended for foreign officials and, under Chinese law, such actions can carry sentences of ten years or more.

Rinchen was known to oppose violence and political extremism, consistently encouraging calm and nonviolent conduct. At the time of his arrest, he was reportedly compiling a written report on human rights conditions.