Dharamshala — Top officials from the US and EU expressed their concerns about a missing Tibetan Buddhist monk who disappeared three years ago, calling on the government of the People's Republic of China to reveal his whereabouts and release him, along with his family and teacher.
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the abduction and disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama in Tibet, the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio and the EU Spokesperson, the German Commissioner for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Swiss, German, Italian and US parliamentarians, as well as members of the European Parliament called on the Chinese government to reveal the whereabouts of the 11th Panchen Lama, his family and his teachers and release them immediately.
Marco, Secretary of State wrote, "This year marks the 30th anniversary of the disappearance of the Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima. Days after the Dalai Lama recognized this young boy as an important Tibetan Buddhist leader, Chinese authorities abducted him and his family. They have not been seen since. Chinese authorities should release Gedhun Choekyi Nyima immediately and stop persecuting Tibetans for their religious beliefs."
Anouar El Anouni, Spokesperson for the European Union publicly expresses concern regarding the wellbeing of the 11th Panchen Lama, he tweeted, "30 years ago, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, was taken into custody by the Chinese authorities. Since then, his whereabouts have remained unknown. We are concerned about his wellbeing. Individuls or religious communities should be able to conduct their basic affair and choose their religious leaders freely and without government interference."
The German Commissioner for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Frank Schwabe wrote, " To the Government of China: release the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedun Choekyi Nyima. Ensure that Tibetan Buddhists can practice their religion in accordance with international human rights standards. This includes the recognition of the next Dalai Lama according to traditional methods – and not the interference of the CCP in reincarnation."
Michael Brand, Member of German Parliament and Chairman of the Tibet Parliamentary Group in the German Bundestag, wrote,"the violent kidnapping of a 6-year-old by the communist regime in Beijing remains a crime. This crime by the communist leadership and the state of the People’s Republic of China has been a crime out of fear. The communist regime is afraid of the power of Tibetan Buddhism as a force for the good in this world and the region. The Communist regime remains fearful not only of his own people but especially of powerful ideas like a peaceful Tibetan culture and religion. This crime has become a testament to the brutality and the ruthlessness of small people who are even afraid of the power of a peace-loving religion and its centuries-long rules to select their spiritual leader.
"Nothing can be considered credible what the communist regime is trying to communicate to Tibet and to the world about the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima. The world, and even more so, Tibet and its people have a right to get to the truth about the abduction of the Panchen Lama by the communist regime. The whereabouts and the well-being of this now 36-year-old person is not the property of the Chinese state but information, that has to be shared with Tibet and the world.
"By trying to censor, manipulate, and control the narrative in this high-profile state crime, the perpetrator, the communist regime, only shows that it is not in any way interested in heeding its obligations originating from international agreements and UN conventions signed by the People’s Republic of China.
"All civilized governments in the world are requested to condemn this barbaric act of child abduction and continue to pressure Beijing in order to get the Panchen Lama released and freed as soon as possible. The CCP will fail in its attempt to undermine the faith and the religious tradition of a peaceful Tibetan Buddhism by introducing force, brutality, and barbarism in Beijing’s dealings with one of the oldest and most respected cultures on this planet," he concluded.
Italian Senator Andrea De Priamo Calls on China to Disclose Whereabouts of the 11th Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and he wrote,"March 17, 2025, marks the 30th anniversary of the enforced disappearance of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama o f Tibet. Recognized in 1995 by His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the age of six, he was abducted by Chinese authorities along with his family, and no reliable information regarding their whereabouts has been made available since.
"This tragic case — the longest-standing enforced disappearance in modern history - constitutes a serious and ongoing violation of fundamental human rights and religious freedom. In place of the legitimate Panchen Lama, the Chinese government appointed a state-selected figure, lacking spiritual legitimacy and widely rejected by the Tibetan people, with the apparent aim of exerting political control over the future of Tibetan religious leadership.
"We respectfully but firmly call upon the authorities of the People's Republic of China to disclose the whereabouts and well-being of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family, and to uphold the inalienable rights of the Tibetan people, including their right to religious and cultural self-determination.
"We further urge the international community, national governments, and human rights organizations to sustain and intensify diplomatic efforts and public advocacy on this issue. The cause of justice, human dignity, and religious freedom requires nothing less," the Senator concluded.
Seven Members of European Parliament expressed deep concerns have tabled urgent questions to the EU High Representative Kaja Kallas. The MEPs are seeking clarity on his current whereabouts and pressing the EU to take a more assertive stance in advocating for his release.
They wrote," on the 30th anniversary of the enforced disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama, we are deeply concerned over his abduction by the Chinese authorities on 17 May 1995. Thirty years on, no information about his whereabouts has been provided. This ongoing disappearance raises serious concerns about the Panchen Lama's well-being and the safety of other Tibetan Buddhist leaders, including His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama."
They ask the following questions to EU:
- Has the EU engaged with China to press for clarification on the whereabouts of the 11th Panchen Lama, and what outcomes have been achieved?
- Does the VP/HR plan to bring up the enforced disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama during the upcoming EU-China strategic dialogue, and what concrete actions are being pursued to ensure accountability for his abduction and the broader violation of religious freedoms in Tibet?
- The Chinese Government has expressed its intention to interfere in the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, disregarding Tibetan traditions and violating religious freedom. In response, the United States introduced the Tibet Policy and Support Act of 2019, affirming that only the Tibetan Buddhist community can decide on the Dalai Lama's succession. What is the EU's position on this issue?
U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement ahead of the 30th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China’s abduction of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, on May 16, 2025.
They wrote, "Beijing’s abduction of the Panchen Lama was an affront to the Tibetan people and their pursuit of religious freedom.
"For decades, China has denied Tibetans the right to self-determination and refused to engage in direct dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives. Meanwhile, Beijing continues to carry out policies to erase Tibetan religion, culture, and language. This is immoral and unjust.
"We call on Beijing to provide credible evidence of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima’s well-being and for his immediate release. The U.S. will continue to steadfastly support Tibetans’ rights to have a say in their own future, preserve their culture, and maintain their religious freedom," they concluded.
