Bern, April 25 – The secretary at the Chinese Embassy reacted extremely enraged as a Tibet activist handed him a birthday cake, along with the request that it should be passed on to the detained Panchen Lama.
“Go away, you are not even allowed to be here. I have spoken with Mr. Fischer. It is forbidden for you to be here! We don’t want any gifts.” were the statements of the livid secretary.
Around 30 activists raised awareness for the fate of the most important boy for Tibet’s future in a most unconventional manner: a birthday party for a kidnapped boy’s birthday – in front of the Embassy of the perpetrator. The Tibetans also intended on handing over gifts to the Chinese Ambassador in Bern. At this point however, a disproportionally large number of Bern police intervened.
The background for this unusual action is the fate of the world’s youngest political prisoner, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, who turned 17 today. At the age of six, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was recognised by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama. Shortly afterwards, he and his parents were forcibly kidnapped by the Chinese government. After an initial long period of silence, China admitted that he and his family were being detained in an unknown location “for their own protection”. In his place, Beijing immediately installed a boy under their own influence as the Panchen Lama. The Chinese government’s Panchen Lama will never be able to win the respect of Tibetans.
“For over 10 years, the regime has stubbornly refused independent delegations access to him. As young Tibetans, we are highly concerned for his health and well-being as he is one of our most important spiritual leaders. This game of hide and seek must come to and end. Therefore we call upon Beijing to immediately release the real Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima.” said Tenda Chokchampa, co-President of the Tibetan Youth Association in Europe.
Photos:
http://tibetanyouth.org/panchenlama/fotos_aktion_250406.htm
