Madam, - In 1995 the Panchen Lama was six years old when he and his parents were abducted from their home in Tibet by the Chinese government. He is the world's youngest political prisoner.
"Panchen Lama" is a title like vice-president or prime minister that Tibetans give to the second greatest leader of Tibet. "Panchen" means "great scholar" and "lama" is a word Tibetans use for a religious teacher. Tibetans believe that the Panchen Lama is the protector of all the "world's living beings".
They consider that the boy, second in importance to His Holiness the Dali Lama, will grow up to be a very powerful leader of Tibet and perhaps the world.
Tibet used to be its own country but China invaded it in 1949. After the Chinese took over, Tibetans were no longer free. Since its illegal occupation, the Chinese government has abducted, tortured and killed over 1 million Tibetans. It is believed that the Panchen Lama, his parents and brother are detained under house arrest somewhere in China. The Chinese government has refused human rights groups any access to the Panchen to determine his health and well-being.
China is in breach of the UN Charter of the Child by illegally detaining the Panchen. China will host the 2007 Special Olympics and 2008 Olympic Games, His Holiness the Dali Lama is hoping that people of the world will support his call for an immediate release of the Panchen Lama. - Yours, etc,
ANTHONY NEWSOME, Oldcourt Drive, Bray, Co Wicklow.