Geneva: At the ongoing 41st session of the UN Human Rights Council signature petition calling for the immediate release of the 11th Panchen Lama and Jadrel Rinpoche was submitted to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on 3rd July.
Ven. Lobsang Dorjee from Tashi Lhunpo monastery based in Bylakuppe, India, submitted the petition signed by eighteen thousand eight hundred and forty-three Tibetans, Buddhist followers and human rights advocacy groups to the representative of the UN Office of High Commissioner for human rights. Ms. Kalden Tsomo and Ms. Kunchok Yaklha, Tibet Bureau in Geneva, accompanied Ven. Lobsang during the petition submission.
During the meeting with the UN representative, Ven Lobsang expressed serious concern over continued disappearance of Panchen Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, his parent, and Jadrel Rinpoche. Ven. Lobsang also briefed the current deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet.
Jadrel Rinpoche, the abbot, and head of the search team to identify the reincarnation of 10th Panchen Lama was sentenced to imprisonment for six-year in 1997 under the alleged charge of “leaking state secret”. The person term completed in 2003. However, he was not release; his well- being and whereabouts continued to remain unknown.
The petition demands UN intervention and calls China to –
1- Immediately release the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, his parents, and Jadrel Rinpoche
2- Reveal the well-being and whereabouts of the Panchen Lama
3- Allow UN mandate holders to physically verify the well-being and whereabouts of Panchen Gedhun Choekyi Nyima
4- Give unfettered access to Tibet to the UN mandate holders and independent observers.
Ven Lobsang Dorjee also spoke at the side event spotlighting China’s continued abduction of Panchen Gedhun Chokeyi Nyima at a side event held on 2 July, prior to submitting the signature petition.
-Report filed by Tibet Bureau, Geneva