RTYC, NY & NJ[Friday, April 27, 2007 18:09]
In May 1995, at the age of 6, Gendun Choekyi Nyima was recognized by the Dalai Lama as the 11th Panchen Lama. He and his family were immediately abducted by the Chinese; their whereabouts are still unknown to this day.
April 25, 2007 marked the 18th birthday of the Panchen Lama. The Regional Tibetan Youth Congress of New York & New Jersey organized a mass rally and protest in front of the United Nations building. Although this was in the middle of the week, Tibetans and Tibet supporters turned up in large number at the rally and shouted with one voice – RELEASE THE PANCHEN LAMA NOW.
A bicycle rally organized by the RTYC Minnesota that started from Washington DC on April 20 arrived at the United Nations today. It consisted of 18 cyclists, with the oldest cyclist aged 70. This shows that anybody with will and determination can overcome hardship and achieve success.
President of RTYC, NY&NJ Mr. Tsering Palden explained that the Panchen Lama in Tibetan translates to the Great Scholar. He told the Chinese Government that the Panchen Lama is now an adult and can make his own decisions. Panchen Lama does not need “protective custody” as the Chinese claim. He asked the Chinese Government 3 questions
* Is the Panchen Lama alive? (and we hope he is)?
* Did he receive proper Tibetan upbringing and monastic education?
* If he is alive, where is he?
President of RTYC, Minnesota Mr.
Penpa Kura read out the memorandum submitted to the United Nations. He mentioned various Articles of the United Nations that have been violated by the Chinese government. He called upon the United Nations to hold the Chinese government accountable for all those violations.
An urgent news was mentioned by the Students for Free Tibet’s staff member Kalayaan that Tenzin Dorjee alongwith 3 other activists were arrested by the Chinese after demonstrating at Mount Everest’s main base camp in Tibet, unfurling a banner reading “One World, One Dream, Free Tibet 2008”.
Tibetans and Tibet supporters gathered in front of the United Nations in large numbers and shouted slogans to demand the immediate release of Panchen Lama. Pamphlets were distributed to several onlookers and passersby. The demonstration continued from the UN to the Chinese consulate through one of the busiest streets in New York (42nd Street). More slogans continued at the Chinese consulate. A dinner reception was organized for all the cyclists jointly by Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Regional Tibetan Women’s Association and Tibetan Community. We hope and pray for the well-being of our Panchen Lama and that he will be free soon.
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