ANTHONY NEWSOME,
Madam, - I write to raise the case of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima (born April 25th 1989) the young boy identified by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the 11th Panchen Lama of Tibet. The Chinese government has been holding the boy and his family incommunicado since 1995. This young boy's spiritual education is in jeopardy and his life is at stake.
In 1996, the Chinese government admitted to holding the boy and his family in "protective custody" However, despite repeated attempts by heads of state and international bodies to ascertain his whereabouts and condition, it refuses to grant any delegates access to him.
The kidnapping and detention of the Panchen Lama, his parents and dozens of others arrested in connection with his case are disturbing examples of the Chinese government's oppression of the Tibetan people and their religious freedom. This is an outrageous abuse of a child's fundamental human rights and has severe implications for the Tibetan Buddhist culture.
In the words of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama: "In our struggle for freedom, truth is the only weapon we possess".
I urge the Irish Government to take decisive action to ensure the immediate release of the Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, and his family. - Yours, etc.,
ANTHONY NEWSOME, Abbey Street Upper, Dublin 1.