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e-431 (Tibet)
42nd Parliament
Initiated by Tsewang Rinzin from Toronto, , on June 20, 2016, at 2:20 p.m. (EDT)
keywords
China
Foreign policy
Panchen Lama
Tibet
Government Response Tabled
Petition to the Government of Canada
Whereas:
- The Panchen Lama is a highly revered religious figures in Tibet and the highest ranking lama after the Dalai Lama within the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism;
- The Dalai Lama recognized Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the 11th Panchen Lama on May 14, 1995;
- The Government of China rejected the Dalai Lama’s statement of recognition as “illegal and invalid” and on May 17th 1995 abducted Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family;
- Neither Gedhun Choekyi Nyima nor his family have been seen or heard from since May 17, 1995;
- No charges against Gedhun Choekyi Nyima or his family have been disclosed and no trial has been held;
- The Government of China has acknowledged holding Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, but continues to deny permission for visits by international observers including UN observers;
- Since 1995, the Government of Canada has previously been consistent in its efforts to ascertain the whereabouts and wellbeing of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima; and
- In 1995, Amnesty International named Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the ‘World’s Youngest Political Prisoner’ and 21 years have now passed since his detention.
We, the undersigned, citizens and/or residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:
• Secure permission from the Government of China for a delegation of Canadian Parliamentarians and/or diplomats to visit Gedhun Choekyi Nyima at the earliest opportunity to ascertain his whereabouts and wellbeing.; and
• Urge the Government of China to release the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, and his family immediately and without conditions.
Petition presented to the House of Commons on October 31, 2016 (Petition No. 421-00843)
Government response tabled on December 14, 2016 (Sessional Paper No. 8545-421-01)
Open for signature : June 20, 2016, at 2:20 p.m. (EDT)
Closed for signature : October 18, 2016, at 2:20 p.m. (EDT)