Tibetans in exile urge US to call for China to release 11th Panchen Lama
A few days after his name was announced, the 11th Panchen Lama was imprisoned by the Chinese authorities when he was just six years old, noted a spokesperson of the Central Tibetan Administration.
DHARAMSALA: With US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken currently visiting China, Tibetans in exile in India are optimistic that he would raise the issue of the disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama with the Chinese authorities, even as his 35th birthday was celebrated here on Thursday.
“You are aware that the 11th Panchen Lama a few days after his name was announced was imprisoned by the Chinese authorities when he was just six years old. As we celebrate his 35th birthday today, we urge Secretary Blinken to raise the issue of his release from prison. This is a gross violation of human rights and the US always advocates that there should be no human rights violations,” a spokesperson of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) told in Dharamshala.
“China has not just committed a crime against the appointed Panchan Lama but also against the boy they themselves chose as one,” the CTA added.
In Dharamshala’s Dalai Temple, celebrations are held every five years to mark the birthday of the 11th Panchen Lama. His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Panchen Ringpoche are considered the sun and moon by Tibetans.
“Since 1995, the case of the enforced disappearance of the Panchen Lama has been continuously discussed in the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances. Members of Parliaments of US, Lithuania, Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, UK amongst a host of others have called for his immediate release. However, the Chinese government has not responded on his whereabouts,” said Sikyong Penpa Tsering in Dharamshala on Thursday.
A delegation of Parliamentarians from Estonia had come to voice their support for releasing the Panchen Lama and returning Tibet to the Tibetans.
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