Tibetans, supporters and right groups across the world marked the 27th year of the Chinese government’s enforced disappearance of Gendun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, the second highest figure in Tibetan Buddhism after the Dalai Lama. On May 17, 1995, the Chinese government abducted Gendun Choekyi Nyima, a six year old, along with his parents and his teacher, Chardrel Rinpoche soon after he was recognised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama – making him the world’s youngest political prisoner. He has not been seen since despite continued international calls for his release and information about his wellbeing.
The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) also known as the Tibetan Government-in-exile, issued a statement to mark the day in which they recounted that despite the repeated calls from number of countries, parliaments and international right groups – including the United Nations – to provide credible information about his whereabouts and wellbeing, China has not responded [other than to say he is “living a normal life” and wants to be left in peace].
“The continued disappearances of the Panchen Lama, his family members and Chadrel Rinpoche is not only a violation of civil rights of individuals but also an infringement of the collective rights of the Tibetan people since the right to appoint a religious leader is recognised by international law as an essential aspect of freedom of religion and belief,” said CTA in their statement.
Photo: tibet.net
On this 27th year of the forced disappearance of the Panchen Lama, five Chilean parliamentarians released an appeal letter calling for the immediate release of “Tibet’s 11th Panchen Lama who is now 33 years old”. The five parliamentarians are Vlado Mirosevic, Luis Malla, Sebastian Videla, Alejandro Bernales and Ana Gazmurri.
The German Parliamentary Group of Tibet also called upon China to end the abduction of the Panchen Lama, which the group calls a “heinous crime” by China. Highlighting China’s continuous denial to give information on this case, Honourable Michale Brand, Chairman of the German Parliamentary Group said, “the world cannot effort to watch” this continued crime being committed by China “without reacting” reports tibet.net
Tibetan activists sits in for hunger strike
Photo: TWA
In Dharamshala, the central and regional Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA) organised a day’s hunger strike protest against the Chinese government, calling on them to immediately release the 11th Panchen Lama. Acknowledging the international support for this case TWA said, “We express our gratitude to all the international organisations, Tibet support groups and everyone for their continued support and efforts to seek justice for, and the release of, Gendun Choekyi Nyima”.
In Mungdog Tibetan Settlement in South India, Karnataka state, a group of 15 Tibetan activists embarked on a three-day bike rally from Mundgod Tibetan Settlement to Bangalore City to raise awareness about the missing Panchen Lama.
Photo: thPrint
The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) joins the Tibetans in demanding that the Chinese government answer: Where is the Panchen Lama? ICT also urged governments, journalists and people of conscience everywhere to pressure the Chinese government to provide “proof of the Panchen Lama’s safety and well-being—including proof he is still alive […] Although Tibetans in exile celebrated the Panchen Lama’s 33rd birthday last month, neither he nor his parents have been seen in public since China abducted them in 1995”.
On May 17, the Australia Tibet Council launched their report Overcoming Obstacles: Protecting Tibetan Religious Identity in the New South Wales State Parliament in Sydney to mark the 27th anniversary of the forced disappearance of 11th Panchen Lama Gedun Choekyi Nyima. The report narrates China’s destruction and sinicisation of Tibetan Buddhism; it was launched by Jamie Parker, member of the NSW Legislative Assembly and local Representative of HH the Dalai Lama.
Meanwhile, the man appointed by the Chinese government as the Panchen Lama in place of Gedun Choekyi Nyima, Gyaltsen Norbu, who is not recognised by Tibetans, is touring Tibet, visiting monasteries and meeting monks there, reports Xinhua the Chinese state news agency. He was installed by China soon after Gedun Choekyi Nyima’s abduction; he lives in Beijing and has been appointed as member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China, and President of the Association’s Tibet branch.
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