37th Birthday of the Panchen Lama Marked at the Chinese Embassy

More than 70 participants gathered at the Chinese Embassy in The Hague on the 37th birthday of the Panchen Lama.

On 25 April 2026, Tibetans and Tibet supporters gathered at the Chinese Embassy in The Hague to mark the 37th birthday of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama of Tibet. In good weather and an engaged, dignified atmosphere, participants reflected on his fate.

Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was recognized in 1995, at the age of six, by the Dalai Lama as the rightful 11th Panchen Lama. Just days later, he was taken away by the Chinese authorities. Since then, there has been no independent evidence of his whereabouts or well-being. He has now been missing for nearly thirty years.

The case of the Panchen Lama, however, goes beyond the tragic fate of one missing child. It touches on a fundamental principle: the independence of spiritual authority. What is at stake is nothing less than the systematic takeover of Tibetan religious authority by the state. Where traditionally a profound religious process determined the recognition of reincarnations, the Chinese government has replaced this with political decision-making.

This creates a dangerous precedent. If this interference is accepted, it opens the door to further state control over Tibetan religious institutions — including the future recognition of the reincarnation of the 14th Dalai Lama. This gives the case a significance that extends far beyond the individual instance.

The Gathering

The demonstration was organized by Tibet Support Group Netherlands, which had invited various Tibetan and other organizations representing peoples oppressed by China to jointly raise their voices against Chinese repression.

The programme opened with a welcome address and introduction, followed by the Prayer of Truth, a moment of silence, and the singing of the Tibetan national anthem. Tibet Support Group NL chair Tsering Jampa opened the demonstration with a speech in which she called attention not only to the fate of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, but also to the devastating consequences for Tibetan Buddhism and culture.

Representatives of Tibetan and allied organizations spoke together at the Chinese Embassy.

Speakers included Norbu Tsering, chair of the Tibetan Community in the Netherlands; Wangpo Tethong of the International Campaign for Tibet; Paldon Khinsia of Students for a Free Tibet; Elbereltu Borjigin of the Southern Mongolia Congress; Abdurehim Gheni of the Support Uyghur Foundation; and Feilong of the Cantonia Independence Party.

During the gathering, slogans were chanted and a long-life prayer for the Panchen Lama — composed by the Dalai Lama — was recited.

A symbolic gesture of solidarity and hope: the joint cutting of a birthday cake and singing “Happy Birthday” in Tibetan.

A particularly moving moment came when participants jointly cut a birthday cake and sang “Happy Birthday” in Tibetan — a symbolic gesture of solidarity and hope.

Tibetans and supporters from various organizations stood side by side to make their voices heard.

Solidarity and the Road Ahead

More than 70 people took part in the demonstration, including young Tibetans who have grown up in the Netherlands but feel deeply connected to their spiritual homeland.

The gathering demonstrated the broad coalition of organizations standing up for freedom and human rights.

The commemoration of his 37th birthday — and the fact that he has been missing for nearly thirty years — underscores the urgency of this case. It remains of great importance that international attention and pressure persist for transparency about his fate and for respect of religious freedom.

Silence serves the perpetrator, never the truth. That is why it remains necessary to continue speaking out.