TWA Marks 12th Year Anniversary of Panchen Lama's Disappearance
For Immediate Release:
May 17, 2007
May 17th 2007, today, marks the twelfth year of abduction of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima. Determined to control religion in Tibet, the Chinese authorities kidnapped a six-year-old Panchen Lama and his family just three days after His Holiness the Dalai Lama recognized him as the 11th Panchen Lama. On May 28th 1996, a year after the disappearance of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the government of People's Republic of China finally admitted that they are holding the 11th Panchen Lama and his family "in protective custody".
According to Tibetan tradition, both the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama's recognition must be confirmed by each other. Thus, the Dalai Lama identifies the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama and guides his training through adulthood and vice-versa. For generations, the Panchen Lama and the Dalai Lama maintained this unique teacher-disciple relationship of the elder mentoring the younger. Tibetans around the globe are now deeply concerned about the kind of education the detained Panchen Lama is receiving.
In November 1995 the atheistic Chinese government installed a different boy as the 11th Panchen Lama. This is a sinister attempt by the PRC to eliminate the influence of the Dalai Lama in Tibet and to gain political mileage out of the spiritual traditions and practices in the Tibetan Buddhism. The replacement of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima further shows the PRC's insecurity regarding its illegitimate authority in Tibet.
Despite the concern expressed and the work done by various individuals, organizations, parliaments and governments for the release of the 11th Panchen Lama, no-one outside the Chinese government have had any access to him and to this day his whereabouts and well-being remain unknown. On the 20 September 2005, delegations of Tibetan Women's Association attended the 36th session of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Child in Geneva and inquired about the status of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, who was then still a minor at 16 years old. Professor Jacob Deok, the Chairperson of the CRC, passed a resolution that the Chinese authorities should facilitate an independent body to verify the current status of the Panchen Lama. Until now the Chinese have failed to cooperate with the resolution. The detention of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his parents provides further evidence that China has not relaxed its control of religious freedom in Tibet.
What makes the 17 May 2007 different from the previous years is the fact that if still alive, the youngest political prisoner at age of 6 is now 18 years old. He is no longer considered a child under Chinese or international law and the Chinese government can no longer claim to speak on his behalf. At this age he is also supposed to be performing his supreme responsibility.
TWA is acutely concerned about the fate and well being of the 11th Panchen Lama. To mark this sad day and to urge for the immediate and unconditional release of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family, TWA is organizing three candle light vigils from three different areas in Dharamsala today; one from Mcleod Ganj to the main temple, another from lower Dharamsala to Kachari and the third from Gyutoe temple to Norbulinga. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has jurisdiction in the identification of the Panchen Lama and the installation of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, as the real Panchen Lama should be allowed to proceed without delay. He must be allowed to return to Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, and be established as the rightful holder of the Panchen Lama lineage and given the proper monastic education. TWA calls on PRC to respect the religious freedom of the Tibetan people, including our right to identify all religious leaders.
Contact:
Tenzin Bhuti: 941 811 8153
Tsering Deckyi: 941 828 9629