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.