Wangchen in an undated photo
Photo: RFA
Four Tibetans were detained on April 29 by Chinese police in Sichuan Province for shouting slogans for the release of the Panchen Lama and his reunification with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Tibet, reports Radio Free Asia (RFA).
According to RFA’s Tibetan source, who wished to remain anonymous, Wangchen, aged 20, and who is a horse-racing jockey, recited prayers and hung prayer flags during a cleanup event held close to a monastery in Sershul County. Police arrested him shortly afterwards. Three other men, reported not to have shouted slogans, were detained as his accomplices.
The report says that their cell phones were quickly confiscated to prevent the spread of their arrests. One of the detainees, a man who is physically challenged and unable to speak, was released later. The report goes on to say that the detainees have been refused visitors until the verdict has been decided. The three men will face a local court later this month.
The 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, whose reincarnation was endorsed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1995, reportedly disappeared three days after his recognition at the age of six. The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) called for his release on April 24, the eve of his 30th birthday, to allow him to assume his role and take up his studies at Tashi Lunpo monastery. They report that his whereabouts are still unknown, although it is believed he is alive.
China is currently on a list of “Countries of Particular Concern” (CPCs) in the United States 2019 Annual Report on Religious Freedom (USCIRF). This serves to identify countries that engage in, or tolerate, violations of religious freedom. As a consequence, a series of recommendations have been made to the United States Congress and Administration in order to address these issues.
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