Tibet's Stolen Child

Tibet's Stolen Child
Still Missing!



On May 17, 1995, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima,
the six year-old boy identified by His
Holiness the Dalai Lama as one of Tibet’s
most important religious figures - the 11th
Panchen Lama, disappeared. Suspicions that
he had been kidnapped were confirmed
in 1996 during questioning by the UN
Commissioner on the Rights of the Child,
when the Chinese government admitted to
holding the boy and his family in “protective
custody.” He has now been missing for over
a decade.






Whereabouts Still Unknown


Despite repeated appeals to gain access to him, no government representative international agency or human rights organization has been granted contact with the young Panchen Lama or his family. To date, their well-being and whereabouts remain unconfirmed.

Furthermore, in and attempt to establish their pre-eminence in all “internal affairs” of China, political or otherwise, in November 1995 the atheistic Chinese government selected a different boy and proclaimed him to be the 11th Panchen Lama. China’s chosen boy is overwhelmingly rejected by the Tibetan people and is commonly referred to as the “Panchen Zuma” (literally “fake Panchen Lama”).

China increasingly uses this boy as a mouthpiece for its calculated policies in Tibet. Both boys are victims in China’s plan to undermine and control the Tibetan people, religion and culture.



Q & A:


Why did China abduct the Panchen Lama?

The Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama have traditionally played aleading role in the recognition of
each other’s reincarnation. Intent on curbing the infl uence of the Dalai Lama within Tibet and on
controlling his next reincarnation, the Chinese government has disrupted the close relationship
between the Panchen Lama and the Dalai Lama, which dictates by tradition that the confirmation of either must be mutually recognized.


Where is the Panchen Lama?

Despite repeated requests by the UN and foreign delegations to have access to him, the current
whereabouts of the Panchen Lama and his family are unknown.


How old is he now?

The Panchen Lama turned 17 on April 26, 2006, but the last known photograph of him was taken when he was only six.




How you can help...

1. Promote awareness about the Panchen Lama at your local school,
club or place of worship. Host a video screening of ICT’s fi lm ‘Tibet’s Stolen Child’, available at www.savetibet.org.

2. Write to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Louise Arbour, urging her to take action on behalf of the Panchen Lama.

3. Join the ICT Action Network to receive regular updates and calls for action by going to www.savetibet.org/enews.

China Blocks YouTube Over Tibet Videos.

BEIJING (AP) — Internet users in China were blocked from seeing YouTube.com on Sunday after dozens of videos about protests in Tibet appeared on the popular U.S. video Web site.

The blocking added to the communist government's efforts to control what the public saw and heard about protests that erupted Friday in the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, against Chinese rule.

Access to YouTube.com, usually readily available in China, was blocked after videos appeared on the site Saturday showing foreign news reports about the Lhasa demonstrations, montages of photos and scenes from Tibet-related protests abroad.

There were no protest scenes posted on China-based video Web sites such as 56.com, youku.com and tudou.com.

The Chinese government has not commented on its move to prevent access to YouTube. Internet users trying to call up the Web site were presented with a blank screen.

Chinese leaders encourage Internet use for education and business but use online filters to block access to material considered subversive or pornographic.

Foreign Web sites run by news organizations and human rights groups are regularly blocked if they carry sensitive information. Operators of China-based online bulletin boards are required to monitor their content and enforce censorship.

China has at least 210 million Internet users, according to the government, and is expected to overtake the United States soon to have the biggest population of Web surfers.

Beijing tightened controls on online video with rules that took effect Jan. 30 and limited video-sharing to state-owned companies.

Regulators backtracked a week later, apparently worried they might disrupt a growing industry, and said private companies that were already operating legally could continue. They said any new competitors will be bound by the more stringent restrictions.

Statement by the Dalai Lama on protests in Tibet.

I am deeply concerned over the situation that has been developing in Tibet following peaceful protests in many parts of Tibet, including Lhasa, in recent days. These protests are a manifestation of the deep-rooted resentment of the Tibetan people under the present governance.

As I have always said, unity and stability under brute force is at best a temporary solution. It is unrealistic to expect unity and stability under such a rule and would therefore not be conducive to finding a peaceful and lasting solution.

I therefore appeal to the Chinese leadership to stop using force and address the long-simmering resentment of the Tibetan people through dialogue with the Tibetan people. I also urge my fellow Tibetans not to resort to violence.

THE DALAI LAMA

Dated: March 14, 2008

At least 200 Tibetans arrested in Nepal over March 10 protest.

Speak out for Tibet.

Tibetan monk Ven Bagdro - Boycott Olympic Games in Beijing 2008