Published by World Tibet Network News - Sunday, December 03, 1995

Amnesty International USA

304 Pennsylvania Ave SE

Washington, DC 20003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 1, 1995

WHERE IS THE CHILD? 11TH PANCHEN LAMA SELECTED BY DALAI LAMA IS MISSING

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a letter to Vice President Al Gore yesterday (Nov. 30), Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) requested that the United States government urgently ask the Chinese government to account for the whereabouts of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima. The organization has also urged the Administration to demand that the Chinese government release at least 50 Tibetan monks, nuns and lay people detained in connection with the continued dispute over the discovery the 11th Panchen Lama.

Gedhun, 6 years old, was determined by the Dalai Lama as the 11th Panchen Lama, the second holiest Tibetan Buddhist lama. The Government of China refused to recognize this selection and instead chose another child. While AIUSA has no position on the selection of the Panchen Lama, the organization is concerned about the fate of Gedhun, who has not been seen in public for some months.

"The Government of China has been responsible for an unspeakable campaign of repression against the people of Tibet, their religion and culture," said James O'Dea, Washington Director, AIUSA. "This little child should not be used as a pawn in China's efforts to control the Tibetan people."

"The US government must find out where the boy and his parents are and get assurances that he will be allowed to live in freedom," said O'Dea. "The trail of persecution resulting from this case must be put to an end."

Chadrel Rimpoche, the abbot of Tashilhunpo monastery, which is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, and his assistant Champa Chung have been detained since May 1995. Chadrel Rimpoche was appointed six years ago by the Chinese authorities in Beijing to head the official committee to identify a successor after the death of the 10th Panchen Lama. Also in detention since June, 1995 is Samdrup, a businessman, for allegedly carrying papers between Chadrel Rimpoche and the Dalai Lama. All three are considered Prisoners of Conscience and should be released immediately.