The 11th Panchen Lama

On May 17 1995, Gendun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, aged 6 years, was kidnapped by the Communist Chinese regime in total disregard to international juvenile rights. During these ten years, Tibetans, governments of different countries, and a plethora of NGOs, have appealed to the Chinese government expressing their concern for his safety, freedom, education, but to no avail. This continues to be a pitiable situation.

The Panchen Lama is, like the Dalai Lama, a dynamic leader on whom the Tibetan people can reply upon. Thus his growth and education is related to the destiny of the Tibetan people. In 1959, in the aftermath of the Communist Chinese invasion of Tibet, the Dalai Lama sought asylum in India where he took the responsibility to work for regaining the lost freedom for the Tibetan people.

The late 10th Panchen Lama challenged the Chinese regime on numerous occasions and worked for the preservation of Tibetan culture and religion, and led the Tibetan people within Tibet. His life was full of struggles and difficulties until his demise. The 11th Panchen Lama too is enduring much oppression by the Chinese and this is clear to all of us. To date, the Chinese regime have not explained anything in regards to the young lama, and we are all in doubt as to whether he is alive or not.

Today, we are sending out this petition to the Chinese government asking them to allow an official from an international juvenile association access to the Panchen Lama to see if he is alive and well, and if so, to let the whole world know it. Further, we are asking the Chinese government to release him from detention and to let him enjoy complete freedom like any other child of the world.

Finally, we extend our heart-felt gratitude to all the governments, NGOs, and private citizens who have given their support for the Panchen Lama. We would like to seek continued support from governments, NGOs, and individuals until the day when he is released from detention. Read an article on the Panchen Lama here.