Tibet's stolen Child: Gendun Choekyi Nyima
by Tibetan Women's Association
Kidnapped at the age of 6 by the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1995, Tibet's second highest spiritual leader, the 11th Panchen Lama, Gendun Choekyi Nyima has never been seen or heard since. Now 32 years old, the young Panchen Lama, if alive, will have already spent 26 years in confinement under the Chinese authorities.
Since no one outside the Chinese government has had contact with the Panchen Lama, it is unknown if he and his family are still alive. All attempts by the Tibetans and the international community to see the Panchen Lama have failed. The Chinese government has consistently denied requests from the United Nations and governments for access to Gendun Choekyi Nyima and his family. They claim that he is leading a normal life and does not want to be disturbed.
On 14th May 1995, His Holiness the Dalai Lama announced Gendun Choekyi Nyima as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama who died under mysterious circumstances in January 1989. On 17th May 1995, three days after this announcement by the Dalai Lama, Gendun along with his parents went missing.
In May 1996, suspicions were confirmed when the Chinese authorities admitted to hold the boy and his family in "protective custody".
Denouncing the Dalai Lama's choice as illegitimate, in November 1995, the PRC installed ist own puppet Panchen Lama, a 6 year old named Gyaincain Norbu. The replacement of Gendun Choekyi Nyima shows the PRC's insecurity regarding its illegitimate authority in Tibet. According to Tibet's age-old religious tradition, only the Dalai Lama has the right to identify the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama. The Dalai Lama also guides his education through to adulthood.
The installation of the fake Panchen Lama by the atheist regime of PRC is a serious affront to the religious sentiments of the Tibetans and the Buddhists worldwide. Tibetans around the globe are deeply concerned about the kind of education the detained Panchen Lama is receiving. The detention of Gendun Choekyi Nyima and his parents provides further evidence that China has not relaxed its control of religious freedom in Tibet.
Tibetan Women's Association (TWA) is acutely concerned about the fate and well-being of the 11th Panchen Lama and calls on the PRC to disclose the truth about his whereabouts and condition. The Panchen Lama must be released and returned to the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Tibet with real freedom to pursue his studies and undertake his traditional role as a religious leader of the Tibetan people.
The world's youngest political prisoner at age 6 is now 32 years old and still behind bars. He turns 33 on 25th April 2022. The search for the Panchen Lama will not stop. Global concern and campaigns are critical for the Panchen Lama's freedom. TWA appeals to individuals, organizations and government officials who believe in truth and freedom to join us in our search.
We will not stop questioning until China answers truthfully to the incessant cries of the Tibetans: