The Panchen Lama: Tibet's Stolen Child

Tibet's stolen child is Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the boy recognised by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama as one of Tibet's most important religious leaders. He is known as the Panchen Lama and is one of the young victims of China's brutal repression of the Tibetan people.

Determined to control religion in Tibet, the Chinese authorities kidnapped this young boy and his family on 17 May 1995 days after he was recognised as the Panchen Lama. His whereabouts and that of his family are not known. Despite repeated appeals to gain access to him, no international agency or human rights organisation has been granted contact with the young Panchen Lama or His family.

Suspicions that he had been kidnapped were confirmed in 1996, when the Chinese government admitted to holding the boy and his family in "protective custody." Furthermore, in an attempt to establish their pre-eminence in all "internal affairs" of China, political or otherwise, the atheistic Chinese government nominated and selected their own 11th Panchen Lama in November 1995. Their selection, a six year-old boy named Gyaltsen Norbu, is another young victim in China's plan to undermine and control the Tibetan people, their religion, and their nation.

Today, The Panchen Lama should be 16 years old, however nobody knows his whereabouts. For more information, please visit the website: www.tashilhunpo.org
You can also sign an online petition demanding his immediate release.

Statement by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama: issued at Dharamsala on 29th November 1995

"The search and recognition of Panchen Lama's reincarnation is a religious matter. Because of the unique historial and traditional relationship between the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama I conducted all the necessary religious procedures with great care and then determined Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the reincarnation of the late Panchen Lama. Therefore, my recognition of the Panchen Lama's reincarnation cannot be changed.

On several occasions in the past years I have approached the Chinese government in this matter without success. Last month again I appealed directly to the Chinese President, Jiang Zemin, to extend his government's recognition to the young Panchen Lama. I had hoped that a personal appeal from my side might facilitate a gesture of good-will from the Chinese Government.

It is unfortunate that the Chinese Government has chosen to politicise this issue and to appoint a rival Panchen Lama. In order to lend a veil of religious legitimacy they have coerced senior Tibetan Lamas and monks to participate in a conference held in Beijing under tight security and strict secrecy. It saddens me that once again the religious sentiments of my people have been deeply hurt and offended.

At this moment the safety of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his proper religious training is of particular concern to me. He has not been seen in the public for some months and is reported to be detained somewhere in Beijing. I, therefore, appeal to all governments, religious and human rights organisations for their intervention in ensuring the safety and freedom of the young Panchen Lama".