International Campaign for Tibet: Campaigns: The Panchen Lama

The Panchen Lama

Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama

The Panchen Lama is considered one of Tibet's most important religious figures. Determined to control religion in Tibet, the Chinese authorities kidnapped Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family in 1995, just days after he was recognized by the Dalai Lama as the 11th Panchen Lama. Despite repeated appeals to confirm his well-being, no international agency or human rights organization has been granted contact with Gedhun Choekyi Nyima or his family. To date, their well-being and whereabouts remains unconfirmed.

In Brief

China kidnapped the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, in 1995. Despite repeated international appeals, China has consistently refused to divulge his whereabouts
The Panchen Lama was considered the world's youngest political prisoner for many years - on April 25, 2007 he turns 18 years old
After the kidnap, the Communist Chinese government appointed its own Panchen Lama; he is overwhelmingly rejected by the Tibetan people

Useful Resources

International Resolutions on the Panchen Lama
Tibet's Stolen Child
'The Search for the Panchen Lama' by Isabel Hilton

China's Actions and Propaganda

Suspicions that the Panchen Lama had been kidnapped by Chinese authorities were confirmed in 1996, when the Chinese government admitted to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child that it held the boy and his family in "protective custody."

Since then, there have been conflicting reports about the whereabouts of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his parents, Dechen Choedron and Konchog Phuntsok. In 1999, rumors that the then-10-year-old boy had died in a prison in the western province of Gansu prompted Beijing to report that he was 'unharmed' and living with his family. Today, there are rumors that he is being kept in Beijing. There is concern that the Panchen Lama is being indoctrinated by Chinese officials, who will use him to support their policies in Tibet.

The Panchen Lama has now been missing for 12 years. The only known photo of him was taken in 1995 at the age of six. If still alive, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima will turn 18 years old on April 25, 2007. On this birthday, he will no longer be considered as a child under Chinese or international law. He should presumably have the right to speak on his own behalf.

China's Attempts to Control Tibetan Religion

"According to Tibetan tradition, the confirmation of either the Dalai or the Panchen must be mutually recognized," the 10th Panchen Lama was quoted as saying by the official Chinese press.

Intent on curbing the influence of the Dalai Lama in Tibet and attempting to establish their pre-eminence in all "internal affairs," political or otherwise, in November 1995 the atheistic Chinese government nominated and selected a different boy and proclaimed him to be the 11th Panchen Lama. China's chosen boy is overwhelmingly rejected by the Tibetan people. China increasingly uses this boy as a mouthpiece for its calculated policies in Tibet. Both teenagers are victims in China's plan to undermine and control the Tibetan people, religion and culture.

The Dalai Lama has said that he regards China's kidnapping of the Panchen Lama in 1995 as a dress rehearsal for what happens after he dies. However, the Dalai Lama has repeatedly said that he will be reincarnated in a democratic country. "I have made clear that the next Dalai Lama will be born in a free country. I think the Tibetans will accept that - they won't accept a boy chosen by the Chinese," the Dalai Lama said in 2003.

Panchen Lama - Further Information

Resources:

Panchen Lama Resolutions – NEW!
Downloadable Campaign Snapshot on the Panchen Lama – NEW!
"Tibet's Stolen Child": a film about the Panchen Lama

Fact Sheets :

News and Press surrounding the development of the Panchen Lama controversy: