Tibetan Women's Association marks the eleventh year of detention of Tibet's Panchen Lama.
17th May 2006 marks the eleventh year of abduction of the 11th Panchen Lama of Tibet. As Gedhun Choekyi Nyima turns seventeen years old, the panic continues as he stands on the threshold of teens and will no longer be a child. The day also signifies 11 years of detention, imprisonment and the gravest nature of the violation of the rights of a child. TWA is positive about CRC's verdict on allowing an independent body to meet Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and we look forward to consequential outcome.
Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was six years old when he was recognized by, His Holiness the Dalai Lama on May 14, 1995 as the 11th incarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama. Three days later on May 17,1995 the boy and his parents went missing. A year later, in May 1996, the PRC admitted to holding the boy "at the request of his parents" for "he was at the risk of being kidnapped by separatists and his security had been threatened". Since then, Gedhun and his parents have not been seen or heard and their whereabouts remain unknown. The boy's detention at the age of six made him the youngest political prisoner of conscience. Despite this provision, the PRC abducted and detained the six-year-old boy for no other crime but for being a spiritual incarnation of a great religious tradition. China's outrageous act in this regard is a clear reflection of religious repression in Tibet. The helplessness and immaturity of the child was exploited to serve the political ends of the State. In deprivation of the freedom of the Panchen Lama, China has deprived the freedom of faith and conscience of the Tibetan people who still considers Gendhun Choekyi Nyima as the real Panchen Lama.
With hilarious remarks and Chinese hesitancy to disclose about Panchen Lama's whereabouts simply echoes the resounding fact that China's diplomacy has lost its sheen. China`s outrageous act in this regard mirrors the much prevalent religious repression in Tibet. The case of missing Panchen Lama is an open rejection by PRC and complete disregard to the rights and freedom of the Tibetan children.
In light of the continued human rights violations of the Tibetan children and especially Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the Tibetan Women's Association declared 2005 as the International Year of Panchen Lama and pledges to work effortlessly for his release. We call for global vigilance, UNO`s conviction and China's sensibility to seriously address the issue of Panchen Lama as it breaches the basic principles of human rights. On this significant and auspicious day, TWA dispatched appeal letters to Professor Doek, Chairman, United Nations Committee for the Rights of the Child, to Koffi Anan, Secretary General of the United Nations, Madam Liouse Arbour, Chairman United Nations Commission for Human Rights and Presidnt Hu Jinato of PRC. Regional Tibetan Women's Association in conjucation with other NGO`s organizes a candle light vigil signifying the inferno in the Tibetans to see Panchen Lama getting entitled to his political rights and the restoration of his spiritual essence and the undying flame of spirit calling for the immediate, unconditional and safe release of Panchen Lama.