ANTHONY NEWSOME,
Madam, - I write to raise the issue of the safety of the Panchem Lama (Gedhun Choekyi Nyima), the world's youngest political prisoner. In 1995, he and his family were taken from their home in Tibet by the government of China. They have now been under arrest in Beijing for almost eight years and no foreign official or journalist has been allowed to visit the boy and his family to ensure they are safe and healthy.
Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was recognised by the Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama who is the second most highly revered religious leader of Tibet.
Shortly after this announcement, China chose its own Panchem Lama and claimed that Gedhun, the boy whom the Dalai Lama and Tibetans recognise as the real Panchen Lama, had not even disappeared. After a year of denials of any involvement, the Chinese government finally admitted to having taken the boy and his family to China.
It is vital that the Chinese government take decisive action and free the Panchem - the world's youngst political prisoner. - Yours, etc.,
ANTHONY NEWSOME,
Abbey Street Upper,
Dublin 1.