NED honors missing Panchen Lama with Democracy Service Medal

Zeekyab Rinpoche, abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in exile, receives the Democracy Service Medal on behalf of the missing Panchen Lama. Photo: NED

The American National Endowment for Democracy (NED) awarded the Democracy Service Medal to Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, on 4 November 2025. The prize was accepted by Zeekyab Rinpoche, abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in South India, as the Panchen Lama himself has been missing since 1995.

World’s youngest political prisoner

Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was recognized in May 1995 by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama. Just three days later, the six-year-old boy disappeared along with his family. Since then, the Chinese government has refused to provide any evidence that he is still alive. He is considered the world’s youngest political prisoner.

Beijing later installed its own candidate, Gyaltsen Norbu, as Panchen Lama. He is not recognized by the Tibetan community in exile or international human rights organizations.

Faith as the foundation of freedom

In accepting the prize, Zeekyab Rinpoche emphasized that faith cannot be imposed by political power: “Faith is fundamental to freedom. It cannot be imposed or controlled by a political power. No prison, no army, and no regime — however powerful — can extinguish it.”

His Holiness the Dalai Lama stated: “I remain hopeful that Gedhun Choekyi Nyima will be able to lead a life of dignity and freedom.”

Other recipients

In addition to the Panchen Lama, other champions of democracy and human rights were honored:

• China Digital Times, an independent news platform
• Campaign for Uyghurs, an NGO that documents human rights violations against Uyghurs
• Wang Yi, a religious freedom advocate who has been imprisoned since 2018

The award recognizes efforts in support of religious freedom and the documentation of restrictions on religious practices in authoritarian contexts, particularly regarding Tibetan and Uyghur communities.

Thirty years missing

The disappearance of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima is one of the longest-running cases of enforced disappearance in the world. In the thirty years since his abduction, China has consistently refused to provide information about his whereabouts or well-being, despite repeated international calls for his release.

The awarding of the Democracy Service Medal underscores international concern about religious freedom in Tibet and Chinese attempts to exert control over Tibetan Buddhism by interfering in the reincarnation process of important spiritual leaders.