Paris [France], April 26: Sunday, On the 11th Panchen Lama’s birthday, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, who was recognized by the Dalai Lama in 1995, 300 protesters gathered in the Place de la Republique to demand his release. Students from Students for Free Tibet-France staged a protest in Paris against China’s continued detention of the 11th Panchen Lama. The protest was led by SFT President Yankey Muccini.
To commemorate Panchen Lama’s birthday, candles were lit and prayers were said.
The protest was also attended by French Senator Andre Gattolin, who is also the Vice President of the Inter-parliamentary Alliance on China.
The demonstrators urged the international community to put an end to China’s brutality against Tibetans and ethnic genocide.
This was 32nd birth anniversary of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedun Choekyi Nyima. It’s been 26 years since the 11th Panchen Lama was last seen. He was kidnapped by the Chinese government along with his family three days after the announcement, making him the world’s youngest political prisoner.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama recognized him as the 11th Panchen Lama on May 14, 1995, when he was six years old. Despite multiple appeals from Tibetans in exile, UN bodies, and various international governments, the status of the 11th Panchen Lama and his family members remains unknown.
China quickly installed its own candidate, Gyaltsen Norbu, as the true Panchen Lama after kidnapping the 11th Panchen Lama. China has worked hard to lift Gyaltsen Norbu’s profile as the 11th Panchen Lama. This isn’t the first time China has interfered with Tibetan Lamas’ reincarnation. China has meddled in the reincarnation of Tibet’s past Panchen Lama and other reincarnated Lamas.
The thing is, the next Dalai Lama is recognised by the Panchen Lama, and vice versa. The Chinese government is, in effect, choosing the next Dalai Lama by selecting and monitoring the current Penchen Lama.
You can read in detail about why the Chinese kidnapped the current Penchen Lama here https://www.tibetanjournal.com/the-panchen-lama-and-future-of-tibetan-incarnation-lamas/
Picture Courtesy: ANI