Dharamshala: On the 30th birthday of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, Central Tibetan Administration’s Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) released the 2019 version of the book “The Panchen Lama Lineage: How Reincarnation is Being Reinvented as a Political Tool”. DIIR also produced and released two short videos titled, “The 11th Panchen Lama: The Boy who ‘disappeared‘” and “Tibetans around the World wish Panchen Rinpoche on His 30th Birthday“.  

The book, first published in June 1995, briefly details the origin of the Panchen Lamas, the vital role of the 10th Panchen Lama, Lobsang Trinley Lhundup Choekyi Gyaltsen, and the enforced disappearance of the reincarnated 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima. This updated version also elucidates the Chinese government’s attempts to manipulate the unique religious faith and system, and the Chinese authorities’ violation of the right to freedom of religion and belief in Tibet.

Speaking on the occasion, Sonam Norbu Dagpo, the spokesperson of Central Tibetan Administration said, “Today is a joyous occasion for us Tibetans. But this joy has been mired by the atrocities inflicted by the People’s Republic of China on Tibetans including the abduction of Panchen Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family members. As Central Tibetan Administration continues to strive for creating international momentum to pressurise China into revealing his whereabouts, we call upon all the governments, civil societies and people of conscience to support us.”

China has been ranked amongst the worst violators of freedom of religion and belief. Speaking on the subject Thinlay Chukki, UN, EU and Human Rights Desk, DIIR remarked, “on the world stage China claims that it ensures freedom of religion and belief in Tibet. If it is so, how a so-called atheist country not only abducts a six-year-old boy who has been recognized as a reincarnation of a religious leader but also installs its own candidate in his place. Freedom of religion means non-interference in the religious practices and traditions of the believers and not imposition of ‘Chinese characteristics’ on Tibet’s age-old religious beliefs and traditions.”

Tibet continues to suffer under the atrocities of China’s rule. The 17th of next month marks 24 years since the enforced disappearance of the 11th Panchen Gedhun Choekyi Nyima. Tibet under China’s occupation has been ranked as the second least free region in the world, this year for the third consecutive year.

-Filed by UN, EU and Human Rights Desk, DIIR