Seeking Release of H.H. Panchen Lama
The Tibetan Policy Act of 2002 states that the US Ambassador to China should actively pursue meeting with the 11th Panchen Lama, whom Tibetans allege was removed from his home by Chinese authorities in 1995, and held incommunicado since that time. The US Ambassador to China should also request immediately that the Chinese government allow the Panchen Lama to freely pursue his religious studies, especially within the Tibetan Buddhist lineages in which he has a position of authority and responsibility for the continuation of the culture.
If China cares about a peaceful future with Tibet, then they can make a major goodwill gesture to prove this: release Gedhum Choekyi Nyima, the Tibetan Panchen Lama, a young innocent "soul boy," the second highest spiritual leader in Tibetan Lineage Buddhist rites.
After spiritual leader H.H. the Dalai Lama blessed this "soul boy" as the "authentic" Panchen Lama in 1995, the Chinese government declared his selection of this child "totally illegal and invalid" and installed their own selected version immediately.
The young authentic Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, subsequently vanished along with his family and Chadred Rinpoche, the abbot of Tashilhunpo Monastery (who had helped H.H. the Dalai Lama in the appointing process). For years now, Tibetans have had to endure the pain of worry and concern over the safety of their beloved Panchen Lama, and many Tibetan monks, nuns and lay people have been detained in connection with the dispute. After years of denial from the Chinese government, they finally admitted that they were indeed holding the Panchen Lama incommunicado all these years.
According to the International Committee of Lawyers for Tibet, "China's interference in the search for the Panchen Lama almost certainly violates international law protections for the Tibetans' rights to freedom of religion, and also freedom of opinion and expression. In addition, the Panchen Lama's detention undoubtedly violates his rights to liberty and to be free of religious discrimination ... There is no doubt that Gedhun Choekyi Nyima's rights as an individual have been violated by his arbitrary detention.
"The detention of an innocent boy for his religious status alone violates the right to be free of religious discrimination under the Universal Declaration, the International Convenant on Civil & Political Rights, the Declaration on the Elimination of Religious Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief and perhaps more importantly, the United Nations Charter to which China has bound itself by its membership."
The Chinese government has introduced a new policy that requires almost every monastery in Tibet to be under the direct rule of government officials who will be permanently posted inside of the monasteries.
H.H. the Dalai Lama has noted that "The search and recognition of the Panchen Lama's reincarnation is a religious matter. Because of the unique historical and traditional relationship between the Dalai Lamas and the Panchen Lamas, I conducted all the necessary religious procedures with great care, and then determined Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the reincarnation of the late Panchen Lama. Therefore, my Recognition of the Panchen Lama's reincarnation cannot be changed."
He emphasized, "It's unfortunate that the Chinese government has chosen to politicize this issue and appointed a rival Panchen Lama, and it saddens me that once again the religious sentiments of my People have been deeply hurt and offended.
"At this moment, the safety of the Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, and his proper religious training is of particular concern to me. He has not been seen in public for years, and is reported to be detained somewhere in Beijing. I, therefore, appeal to all governmental, religious and human rights organizations for their intervention in ensuring the safety and freedom of our young Panchen Lama."
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