Geneva: The German Commissioner for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Frank Schwabe, has called on the Chinese Government to release the 11th Panchen Lama, Jetsun Tenzin Gedhun Yeshi Trinley Phuntsok Pal Sangpo, also known as Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, and to stop interfering in the religious practices of Tibetan Buddhism, including in the reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Marking the 30 years of enforced disappearance, the Commissioner has issued a strong statement of condemnation against the Chinese government for abducting the 11th Panchen Lama Gedun Choekyi Nyima and his family.
“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,” noted Commissioner Frank Schwabe.
Referring to the massive repression of the Tibetan people by the Chinese government, Commissioner Schwabe has noted that “the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has not succeeded in eradicating Tibetan cultural and religious identity.”
Expressing sincere gratitude to Commissioner Schwabe, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Tibet Bureau, Geneva, has welcomed the statement. She noted, “The case of 11th Panchen Lama Gedun Choekyi Nyima is one of the longest-running cases of enforced disappearances in the world. His abduction is a grave violation of his personal rights as well as the right of the Tibetan Buddhists to freely choose their religious leader and practice their religion. The voice of Commissioner Schwabe provides strong impetus to the calls heard across Europe and the world for the protection of the rights of the Tibetan People to freely choose their religious leaders, including the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama and practice one’s religion free from fear and persecution.”
-Report filed by Tibet Bureau, Geneva
To the Government of China: ensure that Tibetan Buddhists are able to freely practice their religion according to international human rights law. This includes the recognition of the next Dalai Lama through traditional methods – not interference with the reincarnation by the CPC.
— Religions- u. Weltanschauungsfreiheitsbeauftragter (@ReligionBund) April 24, 2025
