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Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Global lawmakers urge China to resume talks with representatives of Dalai Lama
The lawmakers from around the globe, who participated in the 9th World Parliamentarians' Convention on Tibet (WPCT) in Tokyo, have urged the People's Republic of China (PRC) to re-engage in dialogue with the representatives of the 14th Dalai Lama. The lawmakers have unanimously adopted 'Tokyo Declaration' urging China to re-engage in substantive dialogue with representatives of the Dalai Lama, or democratically elected Tibetan leaders without preconditions, to resolve the Tibet-China conflict through the Middle Way Policy. The declaration has also recognised and reaffirmed that Tibet was historically an independent nation, prior to the forceful invasion and occupation of Tibet by the PRC since 1950. The convention, which was held from June 2 to 4, brought together 142 participants from 29 countries in Tokyo, Japan. It was organised by the Dharamshala-based Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile in collaboration with the Japan Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet. Notably, the last round of dialogue between Chinese officials and envoys of the Dalai Lama took place in China in January 2010, when they (special envoys) visited China for the ninth round of discussions with the Chinese leadership. The talks have not resumed since. There have been two series of dialogues so far (1979-1989 and 2022-2010). Through the resolution, the lawmakers condemned the continued violation of human rights by the PRC in Tibet, including forced assimilation to destroy Tibetan identity and imposition of colonial-style boarding schools. The declaration has also denounced the sinicization of Tibetan Buddhism that is destroying the foundation of the Tibetan people's culture and way of life. The WPCT participants also said that they are alarmed by the escalating transnational repression carried out by the PRC against Tibetans in the free world, including surveillance, intimidation and interference in the diaspora community, for instance the suspicious death of Tulku Hungkar Dorjee Rinpoche in Vietnam under custody. Called for release of 11th Panchen Lama The Tokyo declaration also called for the release of the 11th Panchen Lama and all Tibetan political prisoners held in PRC prisons for exercising their religious freedom, freedom of speech and assembly, and for wanting to live their lives as Tibetans. 'We strongly believe that the continuation of the institution of the Dalai Lama is not only essential to Tibetans, followers of Tibetan Buddhism, but also to the broader international community who yearn for living a life of peace and freedom and affirm that the Tibetan Buddhist practice of identifying and recognizing the reincarnation is a purely a religious matter that should not be subject to external political interference by the government of the PRC,' the Tokyo resolution stated. The 9th WPCT also adopted the Tokyo Action Plan and a resolution celebrating the legacy of the 14th Dalai Lama on his 9th birthday. Through the Tokyo Action Plan, they demanded unfettered access for UN and EU human rights mechanisms in Tibet. Organised by the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, the WPCT continues its mission to strengthen and coordinate international parliamentary support for the Tibetan cause. Since the first convention held in New Delhi in 1994, WPCT sessions have taken place in Vilnius (1995), Washington D.C. (1997), Edinburgh (2005), Rome (2009), Ottawa (2012), Riga (2019), and Washington D.C. (2022).
India Gazette
20-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
MEPs demand answers from EU on 30th anniversary of Panchen Lama's disappearance
Brussels [Belgium], May 20 (ANI): Seven Member of the European Parliament (MEPs) from four different political groups tabled urgent questions to the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, pressing for answers about the Panchen Lama's fate and urging the European Union to take a firmer stance in its human rights dialogue with China, the Central Tibetan Administration reported. 'The 11th Panchen Lama turns 36 on 25 April 2025. But where is he? China is answerable to the world.' This powerful message was displayed by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in a symbolic action marking the birthday of Gedun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama of Tibet, who has been missing since 1995. As reported by Central Tibetan Administration, the gesture was part of a broader effort by MEPs to highlight the 30th anniversary of his enforced disappearance and to renew international calls for his release. The Dalai Lama recognised Gedun Choekyi Nyima in May 1995 as the 11th Panchen Lama, one of Tibetan Buddhism's most revered figures. Just days later, he and his family were taken into custody by Chinese authorities, and he has not been seen in public since. His disappearance remains one of the most prominent unresolved cases of religious repression in China. MEPs are calling on the EU to prioritise his case in diplomatic engagements and ensure it is consistently raised in both bilateral and multilateral settings. They stress that the EU must adopt a stronger, coordinated approach to uphold religious freedom and demand accountability from Beijing. As the EU continues its engagement with China, the fate of the Panchen Lama remains a powerful symbol of the broader struggle for human rights and religious freedom in Tibet. China took control of Tibet in 1950 as part of what it described as the 'peaceful liberation' of the region. The Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, fled into exile in India after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959. He has called Beijing's control a 'cultural genocide', Al Jazeera reported. Beijing claims he is a dangerous separatist and instead recognises the current Panchen Lama as the highest religious figure in Tibet. The Panchen Lama was installed by the party, as per Al Jazeera. ()
Hindustan Times
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Tibetan government-in-exile reiterate call to release Panchen Lama
The Tibetan government-in-exile on Friday reiterated the call for the Chinese government to release the 11th Panchen Lama, who was abducted in 1995, as they marked the 36th birthday of the spiritual leader whose whereabouts and well-being still remain unknown. Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, considered by Tibetans to be second only to the Dalai Lama, was abducted by China in 1995 when he was only six-years-old. He was born in Chinese occupied Tibet on April 25, 1989. On 14 May 1995, the 14th Dalai Lama had publicly announced the young boy as the 11th Panchen Lama and officially bestowed him the name Jetsun Tenzin Gedhun Yeshi Trinley Phuntsok Pal Sangpo. Three days later, on May 17, the young Panchen Lama 'disappeared' along with his parents and Chadrel Rinpoche, the abbot of the Panchen Lama's seat at Tashi Lhunpo monastery. Penpa Tsering, the Sikyong or political leader of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) said that there is no new information regarding the Panchen Lama. 'There is a lot of speculation about whether he is still alive or not, but we are not in a position to either confirm or deny this,' he said. 'We continue to urge the Chinese government to release him and all other political prisoners. He was only six years old when he was abducted. If he is alive, we believe he has not received the religious education necessary to fulfil his responsibilities.' 'We have consistently appealed to the international community, and there must be greater pressure on the Chinese government to disclose the Panchen Lama's well-being and whereabouts,' he added. Tibetan government-in-exile, spokesperson, Tenzin Lekshay, said, 'At the tender age of six, he was forcibly abducted by the Chinese Communist regime. Since then, China has failed to disclose any information regarding his well being and whereabouts. This remains a matter of serious concern, for which the Chinese authorities must be held accountable.' Meanwhile, the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) group called on the governments and the international community to press China to account for the Panchen Lama's whereabouts and well-being. 'The continued disappearance of the Panchen Lama is emblematic of China's repressive control of Tibet, which has led to the executions, torture, imprisonment, the destruction of religious institutions, political indoctrination, the expulsion of monks and nuns for monasteries and nunneries, the banning of religious ceremonies, restrictions on the numbers of monks in monasteries and the extreme disruption of the religious practices of average Tibetans,' ICT said in a statement. The ICT has also reiterated its demand that China release the Panchen Lama so that he can take his rightful place at the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, the traditional home of the Panchen Lama. Tenzin Tsundue, Tibetan writer and activist based in Dharamshala, said, 'China's calculative kidnapping and disappearing of the real Panchen Lama and installing a fake reincarnation to control the narrative of the next Dalai Lama has just been demolished by the Dalai Lama who has recently declared in his latest book 'Voice for the Voiceless' that the 15th Dalai Lama would be born in free world and not in China occupied Tibet.'
