Gendun Choekyi Nyima
Photo: Tenzin Samten / Contact
Gendun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama and the second most revered figure in Tibetan Buddhism, turned 33 on April 25. He has not been seen in public since his abduction from his home in Tibet by the Chinese authorities 27 years ago at the age of six. Tibetans and right groups across the world marked his birthday with events and calls demanding that China release him and his family.
On Gendun Choekyi Nyima’s birthday, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), also known as the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, has “called upon the Chinese government to rightfully allow the Panchen Lama and his family to live the free life they are entitled to under the international laws and treaties that China is obligated to.
“We also reiterate our earlier appeal to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet to make a visit to Tibet along with Xinjiang [East Turkestan] in May this year to assess the real human rights situation inside Tibet and particularly to press China to release information about the current status and whereabouts of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family”, continued the CTA’s statement.
US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price
Ned Price, spokesperson for the United States Department of State, said in his press statement marking the Panchen Lama’s birthday, “We urges PRC [People’s Republic of China] authorities to account for Gedhun Choekyi Nyima’s whereabouts and well-being immediately and to allow him to fully exercise his human rights and fundamental freedoms, in line with the PRC’s international commitments. The United States supports Tibetans’ religious freedom and their unique religious, cultural, and linguistic identity, including Tibetans’ right to select, educate, and venerate their own leaders, like the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama, according to their own beliefs and without government interference”.
To mark the Panchen Lama’s birthday, Zeekgyab Rinpoche, the Abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery which is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama lineage, joined the International Campaign for Tibet, along with representatives of other Tibet support groups, in the Office of Tibet in Washington DC. Also present was Sikyong Penpa Tsering, President of the CTA.
Zeekgyab Rinpoche
Thanking the US officials and others for their support in the case of Panchen Lama’s abduction, Zeekgyab Rinpoche said “I have come here specifically to raise awareness of the issue of Panchen Lama. During my interaction with US administration officials and others I met, it is very clear that there is support for the Panchen Lama and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you”. Zeekgyab Rinpoche called for Gendun Choekyi Nyima’s early release and continued, “as per the aspiration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, I hope that Panchen Lama case can be resolved soon and may His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama reunite once again”.
Tibetans and supporters in various countries organised peaceful rallies and protests outside their local Chinese consulates, all calling for the immediate release of the Panchen Lama.
Gendun Choekyi Nyima was abducted by the Chinese government at the age of six in 1995 with his parents following his recognition by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama. Since then, and despite continuous calls from international governments and rights groups, the Chinese government has provided no information about his wellbeing, nor any proof that he is still alive. In 2015, China issued a vague statement to the effect that he is living a normal life and does not wish to be disturbed.
The Chinese government installed Gyaltsen Norbu, another Tibetan monk, as their official 11th Panchen Lama, he is currently the Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China.
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