Gendhun Choekyi Nyima
the 11th Panchen Lama of Tibet

On May 14, 1995, His Holiness the Dalai Lama recognized a six-year-old boy from Northern Tibet, Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, as the 11th Panchen Lama of Tibet.

Days after the Dalai Lama's announcement, Gendhun Choekyi Nyima and his family disappeared from their home in Tibet and have not been seen or heard from since.  Seven months after his disappearance, on December 8, 1995, the Chinese government enthroned their own Panchen Lama, disregarding the choice of the Dalai Lama and the wishes of the Tibetan people.

China's first action of interference in the Panchen Lama dispute came three days after the Dalai Lama announced the selection of Gendhun Choekyi Nyima.  On May 18, 1995, Chinese authorities arrested Chadrel Rinpoche, the Abbot of Tashilhunpo Monastery and head of the search committee for the Panchen Lama, on suspicion of colluding with the Dalai Lama.  His whereabouts also are still unknown.  The Chinese government then forced top Tibetan lamas and officials to denounce the Dalai Lama's actions and selection.

As Beijing forced certain lamas to denounce the Dalai Lama, monks of Tashilhunpo, the Panchen Lama's monastery, openly extended support to the Dalai Lama's choice.  As a result, Beijing publicly removed key leaders of Tashilhunpo Monastery in July, 1995, including Chadrel Rinpoche, the Abbot.  He was sentenced in 1997 to 6 years in prison.

Since the disappearance of Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, his family, and Chadrel Rinpoche, conditions in Tibet have worsened.  Tibetans are being forced to recognize the Chinese government appointed Panchen Lama, Gyaltsen Norbu.

At this time, Tibetans are forbidden to own or display photographs of the Dalai Lama.  There is a crackdown on all Dalai Lama photos in shops, restaurants, and monasteries.

On May 7, 1996, monks from Ganden Monastery, one of the largest in Tibet, demonstrated in response to this crackdown.  Soldiers fired warning shots before entering the monastery and then arrested at least 66 monks.  During the incident, three monks were shot and wounded.  Another monk reportedly died of a bullet wound several days after the incident.

Today, the crackdown and ban on photographs of the Dalai Lama is still in effect.  The Panchen Lama is still missing.  And, Tibetans are still being arrested, detained, and tortured for exercising their religious beliefs.

Source:  Information supplied by the International Campaign for Tibet. 

To help the Panchen Lama, please write letters to Chinese government officials listed here using the text below as a model. 

Chinese Officials

President:

His Excellency
Jiang Zemin
President of the People's Republic of China
Beijing
China

Dear Mr. President:

Ambassador:

His Excellency
Yang Jiechi
Ambassador of the People's Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008

Dear Mr. Ambassador:

Sample Letter

I write today as a friend of the Chinese people and as an American citizen wishing to express my deep concern about the case of Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama of Tibet, his family, and Abott Chadrel Rinpoche.  As you may know, the American people are deeply concerned about violations of religious liberty around the world.  China's decision to become a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights is commendable, and is an important step in deepening the understanding between our two countries and peoples.

Reports suggest that after his appointment as the designated Panchen Lama, Gendhun Choekyi Nyima and his family disappeared from their home and neither have been seen nor heard of since that time.  It is presumed, in violation of international human rights standards, that they presently are held incommunicado by Chinese authorities.  In addition, government officials arrested and sentenced Chadrel Rinpoche, head of the search committee for the Panchen Lama, and forced numerous nuns and monks to denounce the Dalai Lama's selection of Gendhun Choekyi Nyima.

As you know, Article 36 of the Chinese Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.  However, to outside observers, it appears that the rights of minority religious believers in China seriously have been violated.

Mr. President, I respectfully request that you intervene on behalf of Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, his family, and Chadrel Rinpoche and allow them to return to live and work peacefully in Tibet.  There would be a significant improvement of China's image in the eyes of the American people if the Chinese government released Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, his family, and Chadrel Rinpoche as soon as possible.

Thank you for your attention to pursuing the release of Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, his family, and Chadrel Rinpoche.

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