From: Tenzin P. Atisha, Joint Secretary, DIIR

Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamsala

Date: June 1st, 1995

It has now been confirmed that Chatrel Rinpoche, head of the official Chinese committee responsible for the search for the late Panchen Lama's reincarnation, was arrested in Chengdu on May 14, 1995 while enroute to Shigatse from Beijing.

This is the same day that His Holiness the Dalai Lama announced the discovery of the Tenth Panchen Lama's reincarnation in Dharamsala.

Chatrel Rinpoche -- who is also the acting abbot of Tashilhunpo Monastery, Shigatse, the seat of the Panchen Lamas -- was flown back to Beijing where he is held incommunicado. He is charged with having communicated with His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the matter of the recognition of the Panchen Lama's reincarnation.

The Chinese authorities have not yet confirmed his arrest.

The search for the late Panchen Lama's reincarnation, or any reincarnation for that matter, is a religious matter. In the case of the Panchen Lamas, the religious procedure traditionally involves a final selection process by the Dalai Lamas. This has been the tradition since the Fifth Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso (1617 - 1682), appointed his teacher, Lobsang Choekyi Gyaltsen, as the Panchen (Great Scholar) Lama of Tashilhunpo Monastery. With this appointment, Lobsang Choekyi Gyaltsen's three previous incarnations were posthumously recognized as Panchen Lamas. The Fifth Dalai Lama also recognized Panchen Lobsang Yeshi as the Fifth Panchen Lama. The Seventh Dalai Lama recognized the Sixth Panchen Lama, who in turn recognized the Eighth Dalai Lama. Similarly, the Eighth Dalai Lama recognized the Seventh Panchen Lama.

It is regrettable that China has chosen to raise a political storm over this religious matter.

We are deeply concerned by the arrest of Chatrel Rinpoche and call on the Chinese authorities to release him immediately. WE APPEAL TO ALL GOVERNMENTS, NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH CONCERNS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND HUMAN DIGNITY TO CALL ON THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES TO IMMEDIATELY RELEASE CHATREL RINPOCHE AND ACCOUNT FOR HIS WELL BEING.