Taipei: On 17 May, marking the 26th year of the 11th Panchen Lama’s abduction by China, Human Rights Network for Tibet and Taiwan and various Tibet-Taiwan associations held a press conference from Taipei, demanding his unconditional release from Chinese captive.
The associations include the 西藏台灣人權連線 Human Rights Network for Tibet and Taiwan, Taiwan Tibetan Welfare Association 在台藏人福利協會, TibetanYouth Congress 台灣分會, 台灣人權促進會 TAHR, Students for a Free Tibet – Taiwan, t永社 Taiwan Forever Association, 人權公約施行監督聯盟Covenants Watch and 華人民主書院 New School for Democracy. Yongshe.
Chairperson of Human Rights Network for Tibet Mr Tashi Tsering, briefing the press conference said, “On the 26th anniversary of the 11th Panchen Lama’s enforced disappearance, the Chinese government’s continued interference in religious matters with the replacement of the Panchen Lama recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama with their own appointee is roundly rejected. Tibetans inside and outside Tibet will continue to investigate the whereabouts of the abducted Panchen Lama.”
Chief guest Representative Kalsang Gyaltsen, Office of Tibet in Taiwan, thanked the local NGOs for holding this virtual event in spite of the pandemic crisis.
He said: “The reincarnation of the Panchen Lama, recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the only religious leader to legally hold this title, is now 32 years old, and according to international and Chinese government regulations, he has long since ceased to need so-called the protective custody of the Chinese government. He demanded that his and his family’s basic right to freedom and life in dignity be realized and respected.
“The Chinese government must adhere to the international norms and relevant Chinese law which enshrine the basic right to life of Panchen Lama and his family members, the larger Chinese public and Tibetans, Tibetan Buddhism practitioners, and allow the international community to determine the current situation inside Tibet.”
If China still subscribes to their policy of non-interference into their “internal matters”, the international community will still continue to search for Panchen Lama, he said.
President Tenzin Namdak of the Tibetan Welfare Association in Taiwan said, speaking on the Chinese government’s recent actions, “While we have lost all trust in the Chinese government, we trust the Chinese public. If the Chinese government continues down the path of falsehoods, it represents imminent danger to the entire country and the public.”
With the local COVID-restrictions limiting public gathering to five persons, Kunchok Lhakpa, President of the local Tibetan Youth Congress could be present, however, the organisation had issued a statement which was read out at the event.
Secretary of Kulpel, Taiwan Human Rights Organization, explained that the lack of information on Panchen Lama’s whereabouts is a violation of the UN’s laws.
Ms Lin, a member of the local Students for a Free Tibet, said that the Chinese government’s abduction of the Panchen Lama is a violation of the UN convention on child rights. Similarly, Taiwan based Yune organization’s Vice President said that the repressive government had devastated the entire world, so it is imperative to confront it collectively.
Organizer Ms Lin shared that though there were initially plans to hold an event, it had to be cancelled in light of a recent spurt in COVID cases, so a virtual event was held instead in collaboration with 8 NGOs. On the previous day, President Tenzin Namdak of Tibetan associations in Taiwan held a virtual commemoration for the 10th Panchen Lama at the local community hall.
Similarly, the Human Rights Network for Tibet and Taiwan urged local MPs and a group of NGOs to call for the release of the 11th Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and received their assurance of support in return.