Prostest in Geneva to demand the release of His Holiness the Panchen Rinpoche

Around 70 members from section Horgen and Lausanne gathered in front of the United Nations Office earlier today in the Swiss city of Geneva to lead a peaceful protest.  The protest was staged in the context of a 2-year monthly appeal campaign started in May 2011 by the Tibetan Community of Switzerland and Leichtenstein to appeal the UN to send a fact-finding mission to Tibet. The protesters today commerated the 11th chapter of the campaign. The protest was organized to coincide with the 23rd birthday of the Panchen Rinpoche, kidnapped by the Chinese authority in 1995 at the age of 6.  Donning a monks robe, the protesters simulated the imprisonment of the missing Panchen Rinpoche. “We demand the release of the Panchen Lama” said a protestor. Panchen Rinpoche has been held incommunicado with his family since his abduction by the Chinese authorities in 1995 shortly after he was recognized as the reincarnation of the Xth Panchen lama by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Samphel la  from the Tibet bureau in Geneva addressed the gathered and encouraged the protesters to carry out activities within the jurisdiction limit and authority of the land in confirming with the legal rights and laws. Vice President of TCSL, Sampa Dhondup la also addressed the protesters. The protesters led a prayer ceremony in honor of all the self-immolating martyrs of Tibet and for the well being of His Holiness the Panchen Rinpoche. The protest dispersed at 15.30. Photos...