TWA Commemorates the 13th Birthday of the XI Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, April 25 2002
Background:
The status of the XI Panchen Lama,
Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, born on 25 April 1989, is a powerful symbol
of the current position of Tibetan people under colonial occupation
by the Peoples Republic of China. He is the youngest political prisoner
in the world.The PRC authorities have held this important Tibetan
leader (and his parents) under house arrest, isolated from outside
contacts since 17 May 1995. They are preventing him from receiving
a Tibetan upbringing or education and attempting to transform him
into a communist Chinese citizen.
Key dates: Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was recognised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on May 14 1995 as the XI Panchen Lama. On the 17 May 1995, the Chinese government rejected this selection and installed Gyaltsen Norbu as their own chosen XI Panchen Lama. On June 1, 1995, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, his family, and the head of the search committee, Chandrel Rinpoche, were taken by Chinese authorities. In 1995 Chandrel Rinpoche was given a six-year prison sentence following charges of "plotting to split the country" and "leaking state secrets". He is reportedly currently under house arrest in Shigatse.
Latest information: In September 2000, a deputy secretary of the TAR Party Committee told a Taiwanese reporter that Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was attending elementary school and that he and his family were fine. In October 2000, during a human rights dialogue with China in London, British officials pressed the Chinese delegation for information on the boy. In a report to the British Parliament, Minister John Battle stated:
"we pressed the Chinese to allow access to the boy by an independent figure acceptable to the Chinese government and to the Tibetans to verify his health and living conditions. The Chinese stated that the boy was well and attending school. They said his parents did not want international figures and the media intruding into his life. Two photographs claimed to be of the Panchen Lama were shown to us but not handed over."
TWA's appeal: On behalf of the Tibetan community inside and outside Tibet, on the 13th birthday of the Panchen Lama, TWA expresses sincere concern for the safety and well being of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, his family members and Chadral Rinpoche. We also deeply protest against the interference of the Chinese government in the sacred religious affairs of the Tibetan people. Following decades of religious intolerance and increasing restrictions on religious freedoms in Tibet by the Chinese government, this PRC appointment of the Panchen Lama is an overt politicization of a sacred Tibetan ritual.
TWA, along with many other Tibetan organizations worldwide have been urging the President of China and the United Nations Human Rights Commission for the release of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima since his arrest in 1995. Despite these efforts, China continues release any concrete information on the whereabouts or well being of the child.
On the occassion of the Panchen Lama's 13th birthday TWA Demands:
An immediate and full investigation into the disappearance of the thirteen year old Panchen Lama,
That Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, his immediate family members, Chadral Rinpoche are located and their fundamental freedoms are restored to them,
That Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, formally recognized by Tibet's spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, be permitted to receive his proper religious education in order to assume his spiritual responsibilities as the XI Panchen Lama.
Gedhun Choekyi Nyima is and will continue to be formally recognized by Tibetans as the XI Panchen Lama regardless of attempts by the Chinese Communist Party to control the religious affairs of the Tibetan people. The Tibetan people do not and will not accept any other candidate proposed by the Chinese government. The choice made by His Holiness the Dalai Lama is final and binding.
TWA appeals to the international community to continue to place pressure on the Chinese government for the immediate and unconditional release of the XI Panchen Lama.