Marking Birthday of the 11th Panchen Lama

Floor Speech

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Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, this week, we mark the 33rd birthday of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama. Born in central Tibet, at the age of six he was recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama, one of the most important figures in the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism, and a senior figure across all of Tibet.

In May of 1995, just 3 days after he was recognized, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family were taken away by the Chinese Government. Disappeared. Kidnapped.

For 27 years, Tibetan Buddhists have asked of his well-being. For 27 years, Chinese authorities have refused to provide proof of life. The most they have said is that he is well and wants to be left alone.

Tibetans deserve an answer. The world deserves to know.

Gedhun Choekyi Nyima remains one of the world's longest-held prisoners of conscience.

His enforced disappearance is an egregious example of the Chinese Government's violation of the religious freedom of Tibetan Buddhists, who have the right to choose their own religious leaders, including the Dalai Lama, without government interference.

In honor of his birthday, I again call on the Chinese Government to free the true Panchen Lama immediately and to uphold its international obligation to respect the religious freedom of all persons.

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