Dr Tsewang Topla, Senior Lecturer at Sarah College, speaking at the Tibet Museum on “Legacy of the 10th Panchen Lama and the Circumstances surrounding the Enforced Disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama on 25 April 2025.

Dharamshala: The Month-long Panchen Lama Awareness Program initiated by the Central Tibetan Administration educates Tibetan public and garners international solidarity on the 30th anniversary of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima’s enforced disappearance.

On the occasion of the 36th birth anniversary of Tibet’s 11th Panchen Lama, Jetsun Tenzin Gedhun Yeshi Trinley Phuntsok Pal Sangpo—also known as Gedhun Choekyi Nyima—the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) launched a month-long awareness campaign. The campaign began on 25 April 2025, coinciding with his birthday, and culminated on 17 May 2025, marking 30 years since his enforced disappearance by the Chinese authorities at the age of six.

Through a series of events, public engagements, and international advocacy, the program aimed to amplify global awareness on this long-standing issue, urging the Chinese government to disclose verifiable information about the Panchen Lama’s whereabouts and well-being. Despite consistent statements from the Chinese authorities claiming he is living a “normal life,” they continue to deny independent access to verify his condition.

Weekly Experts Talk

The month-long awareness program commenced with a public talk titled “Legacy of the 10th Panchen Lama and the Circumstances Surrounding the Enforced Disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama”, delivered by Dr Tsewang Topla, Senior Lecturer at Sarah College. Held on 25 April 2025 at The Tibet Museum auditorium, the event was attended by over 20 individuals, including CTA staff and media representatives.
Throughout the month, the Tibet Advocacy Section, in collaboration with the Tibet Museum, organised a series of weekly expert talks held every Friday. These sessions featured presentations by distinguished Tibetan scholars and legal experts addressing critical issues related to Tibet. On 2 May, Ms. Phurbu Dolma from the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) delivered a presentation entitled “China’s Enforced Disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama and Its Violation of International Law.” Subsequently, on 9 May, Mr. Tenzin Kunkhen from the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) presented on “Awareness, Advocacy, and International Intervention on the Panchen Lama’s Disappearance.” These weekly sessions provided valuable insights into the ongoing human rights concerns and international legal implications surrounding the case of the 11th Panchen Lama.

Panel Discussion

On 15 May, a significant panel discussion was convened at Sikyong Hall, Gangchen Kyishong, under the distinguished participation of Secretary Lobsang Jinpa from the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Geshe Lharampa Tenzin Dorjee (Sangey Rinpoche) of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. The panel discussion encompassed comprehensive deliberations on several matters of paramount importance to the Tibetan religious and cultural heritage. The discourse examined the profound spiritual and institutional connections that have historically characterised the sacred lineages of the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama, representing centuries of religious continuity and mutual recognition. Furthermore, the speakers addressed the concerning pattern of external interference by the Chinese government in the traditional recognition processes that have governed the identification and enthronement of reincarnate lamas. The panel also paid tribute to the enduring legacy of the 10th Panchen Lama, whose steadfast commitment to preserving Tibetan cultural identity, linguistic heritage, and religious traditions continues to serve as an inspiration for the maintenance of Tibet’s distinct civilisational values despite prevailing challenges.

Documentary Film Screenings

In collaboration with The Tibet Museum, a series of documentary film screenings was organised over three consecutive Wednesdays. On 30 April and 14 May, the documentary Tibet’s Stolen Child was presented, offering insight into the story of the 11th Panchen Lama and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. On 7 May, the documentary titled Life Story of the 10th Panchen Lama and the Reincarnation of the 11th Panchen Lama was screened, providing a comprehensive account of the life and legacy of the 10th Panchen Lama as well as the process and challenges related to the recognition of his reincarnation.

Concluding Elocution Event

On 17 May, an elocution event was held at the Hermann Gmeiner Hall of Upper TCV School, featuring student participants from five Tibetan schools in and around Dharamshala—Mewoen Tsuglag Petoen School, TCV Upper, TCV Suja, TCV Chauntra, and TCV Gopalpur. The participants delivered speeches on a range of significant topics, including the relationship between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama, the contributions of the 10th Panchen Lama to the preservation and promotion of Tibetan identity, and the political motives and human rights violations surrounding the abduction of the 11th Panchen Lama. The event concluded with a quiz session, the launch of a reprint of the book Tibet’s Stolen Child, and the presentation of certificates and ceremonial scarves of gratitude to the participating students and their mentors.

Statement of Support from the International Community

In the lead-up to and throughout the Panchen Lama Awareness Program, the DIIR, through its Offices of Tibet, spearheaded a coordinated advocacy initiative that garnered widespread international support. This effort resulted in a number of significant expressions of solidarity from government bodies, parliamentary leaders, and civil society representatives across the world.

Government and Parliamentary Leaders

In the European Parliament, seven Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) representing four different political groups submitted urgent questions to the European Union’s High Representative, underscoring the seriousness of the issue. In Germany, Michael Brand, Member of Parliament and Chair of the Bundestag’s Tibet Group, issued a strong condemnation of the Panchen Lama’s abduction, describing it as “a crime out of fear.” Similarly, in Italy, Senator Andrea De Priamo, President of the Italian Tibet Interparliamentary Group, denounced the replacement of the legitimate Panchen Lama with a state-appointed figure.

At the European Union level, Anouar El Anouni, Spokesperson for the EU, expressed concern publicly through social media. Frank Schwabe, Germany’s Commissioner for Freedom of Religion or Belief, also issued a statement condemning the Chinese Communist Party’s interference in religious practices. MEP Dainius Žalimas, President of the European Parliamentary Friends of Tibet, led a joint declaration signed by 14 MEPs, calling for justice, accountability, and transparency.

“Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was only six years old when Chinese authorities abducted him 30 years ago. The Panchen Lama should be released immediately,” Secretary Marco Rubio of the United States said in a statement on the social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter).

The Swiss Parliamentarians from the Swiss Parliamentary Group for Tibet have called on the Swiss Government (Federal Council) to urge China for the immediate release Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family members. The Joint statement on behalf of the group was issued by Co-President Councillor of States Tiana Moser, Co-President National Councillor Nik Gugger, Co-President National Councillor Fabian Molina, Co-President National Councillor Nicolas Walder and Vice-President Councillor of States Maya Graf.

Further support emerged from Taiwan, where Tian Chiu-Chin of the National Human Rights Commission and the Taiwan Parliament Group for Tibet jointly condemned the continued repression in Tibet and reaffirmed their commitment to the Tibetan cause.

Video Messages and Public Declarations

Several notable individuals and organisations expressed their solidarity through video messages and public statements. These included Dr Jinjiang Zhong of the Chinese Alliance for Democracy; Dr Qin Jin of the Federation for a Democratic China; Dr Zoe Bedford of the Australian Tibet Council; Professor Chongyi Feng of the Australia-New Zealand Alliance of Victims of the Chinese Communist Party; Carlo Luyckx of the Belgian Buddhist Union and the European Buddhist Union; Evelina Gudzinskaite from the EU Agency for Asylum; Lithuanian MP Jurgita Sejonienė; and Wu Pei-yi, Member of Parliament in Taiwan and Chair of the Taiwan Parliament Group for Tibet.

All video messages and full statements are archived and available for reference through the DIIR’s OneDrive repository. The written statements have been included in the reprint of the book “Tibet’s Stolen Child”, which was launched on 17 May 2025. The E-books will be available on the website Tibet.net.

The awareness campaign achieved broad engagement across both digital and physical platforms. Notable highlights include the active participation of Tibetan youth and students. The program also led to direct advocacy outcomes, including parliamentary inquiries and public statements of support from various governments and institutions.

The month-long Panchen Lama Awareness Program has successfully brought renewed global attention to the continued enforced disappearance of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama. It has simultaneously showcased the unwavering international support for truth and justice in the face of long-standing human rights violations. The Central Tibetan Administration reiterates its call on the international community to urge the Chinese government to provide credible evidence of the Panchen Lama’s well-being and immediate release. The Program marks a continued commitment to advocacy, ensuring that the Tibetan people’s spiritual rights are upheld and their legitimate religious leaders are once again free to be revered without interference.

-Report filed by the UN, EU, and the Human Rights Desk, Tibet Advocacy Section, DIIR

Phurbu Dolma from the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) delivering a presentation entitled “China’s Enforced Disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama and Its Violation of International Law” on 2 May 2025.

Tenzin Kunkhen from the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) presenting on “Awareness, Advocacy, and International Intervention on the Panchen Lama’s Disappearance” on 9 May 2025.

A still from the Panel Discussion on Panchen Lama given to the Civil Servants of the Central Tibetan Administration on 15 May 2025. In the picture: from left to right – Geshe Lharampa Tenzin Dorjee (Sangey Rinpoche) of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Secretary Lobsang Jinpa from the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Joint Secretary Dukthen Kyi, head of the Tibet Advocacy Section, DIIR.

A still from an elocution event organized by the Department of Information and International Relations and Upper TCV School to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the 11th Panchen Lama’s forced disappearance on 17 May 2025.