Over 20 Tibetans and their supporters gathered in front of the Chinese Embassy in central London to mark the 27th anniversary of the forced “disappearance” of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, the second highest Tibetan spiritual leader.
Born 25th April 1989, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was recognised as the true reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama as per the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, on 14th May 1995. Within days of his public recognition, on 17th May 1995, the six-year old Gedhun Choekyi Nyima disappeared with his parents and Jadrel Rinpoche, Head of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, who was in secretly in touch with the Dalai Lama in India regarding the 11th Panchen Lama’s search. Jadrel Rinpoche was appointed as the Head of the Panchen Lama Search Committee, entrusted by the Chinese Government.
Six months later, China announced its own 11th Panchen Lama, Gyaincain Norbu as the reincarnation of the previous 10th Panchen Lama. For more, please click here.
The vigil, held outside the Chinese Embassy in London from 6pm to 8pm, was organised by Tibetan Community UK and Free Tibet.
Tibetans and their supporters chanted loud slogans – “Release Release Panchen Lama”, “Religious Freedom in Tibet”, “Where is Panchen Lama”, “Shame on CCP”, “Human Rights in Tibet”, “Language Rights in Tibet”, “Religious Freedom in Tibet”, “Stop the Genocide in Tibet”, “Stop the Torture in Tibet” and “Stop the Killing in Tibet”.
After singing the Tibetan National Anthem Mr Tenzin Kunga spoke briefly on behalf of the organisers. He said that the gathering of Tibetans and their supporters in front the Chinese Embassy on this occasion was to send a strong message to the Chinese communist government to ask tough questions on the whereabouts of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima. He further added that the forced “disappearance” case of the Panchen Lama would be followed-up.
Read this article by Tsering Passang – China Must Return the Stolen Tibetan Child – The 11th Panchen Lama
Useful links:
Release the Panchen Lama: http://releasethepanchenlama.org
Tibetan Community UK: www.tibetancommunityuk.net
Free Tibet: www.freetibet.org
Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities 