Washington DC [US], May 18 (ANI): American senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement on the 30th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China’s kidnapping of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama. The Panchen Lama is a significant spiritual leader for Tibetans and symbolizes their struggle for religious freedom, according to a release from the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations (USSCFR).
“Beijing’s abduction of the Panchen Lama was an affront to the Tibetan people and their pursuit of religious freedom. For decades, China has denied Tibetans the right to self-determination and refused to engage in direct dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives. Meanwhile, Beijing continues policies aimed at erasing Tibetan religion, culture, and language. This is immoral and unjust,” the statement read.
“We call on Beijing to provide credible evidence of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima’s well-being and for his immediate release. The US will continue to steadfastly support Tibetans’ rights to participate in their future, preserve their culture, and maintain their religious freedom,” the release quoted.
On May 17, 1995, just three days after the Dalai Lama recognized him, the six-year-old Panchen Lama and his family were abducted by the Chinese Communist Party. Subsequently, Beijing appointed another child as the Panchen Lama in a clear and illegitimate attempt to assert control over Tibetan Buddhism, the release added.
The tension between Tibet and China stems from political conflicts regarding Tibet’s governance. Historically a sovereign state, Tibet was incorporated into China in 1951 through military force. Under the Dalai Lama’s leadership, Tibetans have sought increased autonomy and protection of their cultural, religious, and political rights. Conversely, the Chinese government regards Tibet as an inseparable part of its territory. This ongoing dispute has led to protests, cultural suppression, and continuing debates over human rights and self-administration. (ANI)
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