Brussels, 24 April 2023: To commemorate the 34th birthday of the 11th Panchen Lama, the Tibetan Community Association of Belgium, International Campaign for Tibet, Brussels and Lungta jointly organised a candlelight vigil at the square in front of the Brussels Central Station.

The three organisations urged the international community to press the Chinese Government to provide evidence of his well-being. The candlelight vigil is aimed to show that the Panchen Lama is still in their hearts. ICT Brussels issued a statement which can be read from the link provided here: https://www.savetibet.eu/ict-statement-on-panchen-lamas…/

Representative Rigzin Genkhang, Secretary Thinley Wangdue and Accountant Tenzin Nordhen from the Office of Tibet, Brussels, also participated in the Candlelight vigil. Representative Genkhang, in her address to the gathering, informed about the strong support of 11 Members of the European Parliament from across the political spectrum led by MEP Mikulas Peksa who submitted a written appeal to the EU High Representative Josep Borrell to raise this concern with the Chinese counterpart during the EU-China Strategic dialogue. She also informed the gathering about the support of the 30 members of the Inter-Parliamentary Group for Tibet in the Spanish Senate who also demanded China provide proof of life and account of the whereabouts of the 11th Panchen Lama. 

Tibet’s second-highest religious leader, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima alias Panchen Lama, was kidnapped by the Chinese government in 1995 after he’d been recognised as the 11th Panchen Lama. At the age of 6 years, he became the world’s youngest political prisoner and has not been seen since, along with his entire family.