Dharamshala — On the 29th anniversary of the enforced disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama from Tibet, Tibetan women protested against the Chinese Communist government for abducting the 11th Panchen Lama at the age of six and called on the Chinese government to let the world know where the 11th Panchen Lama is and to free him immediately.
The central and regional Tibetan Women's Association (TWA) of Dharamshala protested against the Chinese Communist government for abducting the 11th Panchen Lama at the age of six, on May 17, 1995 and called on China to release him, his family and his teacher immediately. Tibetan women and Tibetans marched from the main square of Mcleod Ganj to Kacheri, Dharamshala, on May 17, 2024, to raise awareness of the 11th Panchen Lama's whereabouts.
TWA’s President Tenzin Doma, read out the statement of TWA on the 29 years of enforced disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama, she said, “Today marks 29 years since the Chinese government forced the disappearance of His Eminence the 11th Panchen Lama, Tenzin Gendun Yeshi Thinley Phuntsok, also known as Gendun Choekyi Nyima, and his family, Chadrel Rinpoche, the former abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery and head of the 11th Panchen Lama and Jangpa Chungla search committee. Since 1995, the Tibetan Women's Association has commemorated the forced kidnapping of Gendun Choekyi Nyima”.
“Gendun Choekyi Nyima was born on April 25, 1989 to Father Kunchok Phuntsok and Mother Dechen Choedon in Nagchu, Central Tibet. After the death of the 10th Panchen Lama, His Holiness the Dalai Lama recognised and announced Gendun Choekyi Nyima as the 11th Panchen Lama on May 14, 1995. The lineages of Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama share a special bond and have, in the past recognised each other's reincarnations,” She added. “The 10th Panchen Lama worked diligently to preserve Tibetan's identity and it has been 29 years since the abduction and disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gendun Choekyi Nyima. The 11th Panchen Lama's well-being and whereabouts are of great concern to Tibetans and the world at large,” the TWA President mentioned.
“We refuse to accept China's multiple attempts to obliterate Tibetan identity. For decades, China has committed inhumane atrocities against Tibetans, and as a result, more than 169 Tibetans have self-immolated in a desperate scream for the world to be aware of the escalating human rights violations occurring within Tibet. We want China to stop enforcing their terrible and inhumane policies on Tibetans inside Tibet, and we thank all international organisations, Tibetan support groups, and individuals for their ongoing support and efforts to seek justice and the release of Gendun Choekyi Nyima,” the TWA’s new President Tsering Dolma said.
“We urge the United Nations, UN Working Committee on Human Rights Violations, Members of Parliament, International leaders, UN working committee on child support and International Tibet Support Groups for their continued support on the fulfillment of the following demands:
- We want the Chinese government to immediately release the status of the current well-being and whereabouts of the 11th Panchen Lama.
- We urge for the release of 11th Panchen Lama, Gendun Choekyi Nyima and all Political Prisoners of Tibet.
- We urge the Chinese government to promote the dialogue and recognise Tibetans' human rights.
- We demand that the colonial boarding school be closed per the laws and rights stipulated by Chinese law to preserve culture and religion.
