By Human Rights Press Staff
May 17, 2025 | 9:00 am ET
Thirty years after the enforced disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gendun Choki Nyima, and his parents, their whereabouts remain unknown. The six-year-old was taken by Chinese authorities on May 17, 1995, days after the Dalai Lama recognized him as a key Tibetan spiritual figure.
The Panchen Lama holds a significant role in Tibetan Buddhism, historically linked to the recognition of the next Dalai Lama. With the 14th Dalai Lama turning 90 this July, concerns over religious succession and state interference are mounting.
China replaced Gendun Choki Nyima with another child, Gyaltsen Norbu, reportedly linked to the Chinese Communist Party. Authorities also detained monks involved in the original selection, including Jadrel Rinpoche, who has not been seen since.
Beijing has claimed the Panchen Lama is living a “normal life,” but independent verification has been blocked. Pictures of him and the Dalai Lama remain banned in Tibet, and religious practices are increasingly regulated.
The case has drawn criticism from United Nations experts and international bodies, including the European Parliament, over violations of religious freedom and enforced disappearance laws.
Since 2007, China has tightened control over the selection of reincarnate lamas, requiring state approval and use of the “Golden Urn” lottery system. Surveillance and restrictions on movement, speech, and religion remain widespread across Tibetan regions.
As the anniversary passes, calls for transparency and accountability continue, but China has not altered its stance.
