The circumstances of the Panchen Lama’s case have changed. In 2007, the Panchen Lama turned eighteen and became an adult under Chinese law.

It is time for this young Tibetan man to be allowed to decide his own future.

Join the email campaign to Australia’s Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith.

On May 14, 1995, the Dalai Lama announced six-year old Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama - the second most important figure in Tibetan Buddhism. Just days after the announcement, on May 17, the boy and his parents were detained by Chinese authorities. They have not been seen since and their whereabouts are not known.

Despite repeated requests by United Nations bodies and concerned governments, China has refused to provide any verifiable information on Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, or to allow independent observers to confirm that he and his parents are alive and well.

Under the ‘protection’ of the Chinese authorities
In defence of these continued denials, the Chinese authorities have repeatedly claimed that Gedhun Choekyi Nyima’s parents requested that their son be kept incommunicado - under the ‘protection’ of the Chinese authorities – as his parents didn’t wish for him to be disturbed.

The circumstances of his case have changed and the Chinese authorities’ position is now untenable. In 2007, the Panchen Lama turned eighteen and became an adult under Chinese law. It is now for him - and him alone - to decide whether he wishes to be contacted.

We can no longer just ask to see the Panchen Lama – We need our political leaders to question why we cannot?

More information:
Read ‘The 11th Panchen Lama - Background’