Free Tibet's Stolen Child: Tibet supporters mark the 10th anniversary of the kidnap of Tibet's Panchen Lama |
Press Advisory - 4 May 2005 Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, Tibet's 11th Panchen Lama (the second most important religious figure) lost his childhood and is in danger of his life as China tightens its grip on Tibet in an attempt to control freedom of religion. In its ruthless strategy, China violates political and civil rights. Torture, executions and intimidation are systematic. For a state to kidnap such a young innocent child reveals total lack of respect for both spirit and the letter of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which China has signed and ratified. On the 10th anniversary of the kidnapping of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his parents by the Chinese authorities, Tibet supporters and human rights' activist world-wide will campaign to free Tibet's stolen child. We will demand Gedhun's immediate and unconditional release. China's lies and covering-up of the abduction will be exposed to international scrutiny. A Global Vigil Summary of Campaign Activities Our campaign demands the release of Tibet's stolen child and protection of freedom of religious in Tibet. For further details click here. Four months later, the Chinese authorities selected Gyaltsen Norbu, a boy from the same area of Tibet as Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, to be Panchen Lama. Norbu has been educated away from Tashilhunpo monastery, home of the Panchen Lama, and since 1996 he only returned occasionally for brief visits. The replacement of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima by Gyaltsen Norbu ensures that the Panchen Lama's education would be controlled by Beijing;but it also has far-reaching effects on the political and spiritual future of Tibet. There is a tradition of mutual recognition between Dalai and Panchen Lamas - a special bond between the religious and political leader of the Tibetan people. Both are usually involved in each other's spiritual education and have at times been involved in appointing each other's reincarnation, which means that when the 14th Dalai Lama dies, the identification of his reincarnation will be even more fraught with controversy. Determined to control and suppress religion in Tibet, the Chinese authorities infringe upon Tibetan religious traditions. In the ten years since, the Chinese authorities consistently denied requests from the United Nations bodies and governments for access to Gedhun and his parents, claiming that he was leading a normal life and did not want to be disturbed. UN Committee on the Rights of the ChildFree Tibet's Stolen Child: Tibet supporters mark the 10th anniversary of the kidnap of Tibet's Panchen Lama - a vigil on 17 May
Ten years ago, a six year old Tibetan boy was kidnapped with his parents. He has not been seen since. Despite numerous attempts to learn of his whereabouts and welfare, his captors refused all requests for information. The boy became the world's youngest political prisoner - a pawn in the cynical game of world politics.
On 17 May 2005, 6.00-8.00pm, Free Tibet Campaign will hold a vigil as part of a global vigil (see below) to press the Chinese Government to free Gedhun Choekyi Nyima. Where: Across the street from the Chinese Embassy, 49-51 Portland Place, London W1 (nearest tubes Great Portland St/Oxford Circus).
Background to the Campaign
On 15 May 1995, the six-year-old Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was recognised by the Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama, Tibet's second most important religious leader who died in 1989. Two days after the Dalai Lama's announcement, the boy and his parents were taken under escort from their home to Beijing, and have not been seen since.
In September 2005, China will appear again before the Committee on the Rights of the Child to report on the promotion and protection of rights of children in China. Tibet Support Groups will raise the case of the Panchen Lama at this hearing and demand that the Committee ensures that it obtains access to the Panchen Lama in order to ascertain his current situation. We will also ask the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, and UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, and other UN officials to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of the Panchen Lama.