On May 14, 1995, The Dalai Lama, recognized Gendhun Choekyi Nyima as the
 11th Panchen Lama of Tibet. This extremely important decision by His Holiness
 culminated a six year, difficult and thorough process of searching for the
 incarnation of The 10th Panchen Lama. Gendun Choekyi Nyima is currently a ten
 year-old boy from a semi-pastoralist family that, at one time, lived in the Lhari
 District in Kam, Tibet. Gendhun Choekyi Nyima is considered the youngest
 political prisoner in the world. On April 25th, 2000, Gendhun Choekyi Nyima will
 celebrate His 11th Birthday. 

 Apparently, on May 17, 1995 Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, His family, and the Abbott,
 Chadrel Rinpoche (Cha Tsa Chagbazeling) and His Secretary, who both led the
 search party for this incarnate were taken by the People's Republic of China
 (PRC) to Beijing. Thus, these persons are now political prisoners of the Chinese
 Government. As of today, all of these persons are still missing and there has
 been no indication that they are alive. On May 17, 2000, it will be 5 years since
 Gendhun Choekyi Nyima was illegally abducted.

 Since His disappearance, The PRC has changed its' position on the
 whereabouts of Gendhun Choekyi Nyima many times. At first, The PRC claimed
 that Gendhun was with His family in their home village. In March 1996, The PRC
 then reported that His Holiness The Panchen Lama was in their custody to
 protect Him from Tibetans. During the Summer of 1996, The PRC claimed that,
 as far as they knew, Gendhun Choekyi Nyima was back in the Tibetan
 community. During September 1998, The PRC once again claimed that The
 Panchen Lama was in their care to protect Him from Tibetans. In fact, on a trip to
 Tibet in September 1998, Mary Robinson (High Commissioner of Human
 Rights) of the United Nations was denied access to Gendhun Choekyi Nyima. As
 of November 1999, The PRC claimed that He was still under their protection. To
 date, no one has seen The Panchen Lama.

 In December 1995, The PRC illegally announced its' own Panchen Lama,
 Gyaltsen Norbu. The PRC has absolutely no authority to choose the next
 Panchen Lama. Only The Dalai Lama has the right to select The Panchen Lama.
 The PRC also has no legal justification to hold Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, His
 family, or members of the search party as hostages. 

 Why you should take action?
 It is very critical for the survival of Tibet that the real Panchen Lama, Gendhun
 Choekyi Nyima, be released as well as others associated with His selection. We
 must all support His Holiness, The Dalai Lama's selection of this important
 spiritual leader and fight for His security. If The PRC does not want to recognize
 Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, then they should release this 10 year boy to the
 Tibetan community-in-exile, along with everyone else connected with His
 selection. 

 The 11th Panchen Lama must have the right to visit Tibetans-in-exile around the
 world, particularly His Holiness, The Dalai Lama. Such actions will increase the
 possibility that all Tibetans will have the opportunity to communicate and be
 blessed by this highly important spiritual leader.