Dharamshala —Tibetan Women's Association celebrated the 37th birthday of the 11th Panchen Lama of Tibet in Dharamshala on Saturday. They urged the United Nations, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Committee on the Rights of the Child, and the UN Working Groups on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances to take more decisive action regarding the enforced disappearances carried out by the Chinese Communist government including the 11th Panchen Lama.
The Tibetan Women's Association celebrated the 37th birthday of the 11th Panchen Lama of Tibet, at the Tibetan Settlement Office Hall in Dharamshala, on April 25, 2026. Over 50 Tibetans, including Tibetan students, attended the celebration. Chief Guest was Kunchok Migmar, head of Tibetan Settlement Office, Dharamshala. They also called on the Chinese government to release the world's youngest prisoner, the 11th Panchen Lama, immediately. He has been missing since 1995, when he, his parents and his teacher were abducted by the Chinese Communist Party.
Tsering Dolma, President of Central Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA), said, “On this sacred day, the Tibetan Women's Association joins Tibetans around the world and all people of conscience in marking the 37th birthday of the 11"h Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, Tenzin Gedhun Yeshi Trinley Phuntsok Palsangpo Rinpoche. We offer our most heartfelt congratulations and our deepest prayers for his health, his safety, and his freedom.”
“The 11" Panchen Lama was born on April 25, 1989 in the Lhari District of Nagchu, Tibet, to parents Kunchok Phuntsok and Dechen Choedon. At the age of six, on May 14, 1995, he was recognised by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama,” she added.
“In Tibetan tradition, there exists a long-established and highly respected practice in which His Holiness the 14t Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama are traditionally involved in the recognition of each other's successive reincarnations. The Dalai Lamas and Panchen Lamas have historically maintained a close teacher-disciple relationship, grounded in mutual reverence, spiritual responsibility, and shared commitment to the preservation of Buddhist teachings. Throughout Tibet's religious and political history, the two spiritual leaders have provided enduring guidance to the Tibetan people, exemplifying wisdom, compassion, and moral leadership, and leaving behind a profound and inspiring legacy,” she explained.
Kunsang Dolma, Vice President of TWA said, “Just three days after His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama recognised the 11th Panchen Lama, he, along with his family members, the former head of the search committee Chadrel Rinpoche, and Jangpa Chung, were reportedly taken into custody by agents of the Chinese authorities on May 17, 1995.”
“For thirty-one years, no country in the world has known his whereabouts, no one has been able to meet him in person, nor even see a recent photograph of him. This heartbreaking and incomprehensible situation is clear evidence of the Chinese Communist government's utter disregard and disrespect for the international community. Nevertheless, hope remains unwavering. We continue to sincerely pray that 11th Panchen Rinpoche and his companions are safe and in good health, wherever they may be,” she added.
“Each year, the Central and Regional chapters of the Tibetan Women's Association worldwide commemorate the birthday of the 11th Panchen Rinpoche. On this occasion, the Tibetan Women's Association urges the United Nations, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Committee on the Rights of the Child, and the UN Working Groups on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances to take more decisive action regarding the enforced disappearances carried out by the Chinese Communist government,” she urged.
The TWA said, “Our Association calls on these international bodies to press Chinese authorities for answers and to take concrete steps toward restoring the full rights, including the political rights of those who were forcibly taken.”
“Recently, on March 12, 2026, the Chinese Communist government enacted a new law called the “Ethnic Unity Law" aimed at forcibly assimilating Tibetans and destroying the Tibetan language, script, and culture. The Tibetan Women's Association unanimously condemns this and urges the United Nations and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to pay serious attention to such coercive policies imposed by the Chinese Communist government,” TWA said.
