Campaigns > Human Rights

Free the Panchen Lama!

Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was kidnapped by the Chinese authorities just 2 months after he was officially recognized in May, 1995 as the Panchen Lama, one of Tibet's most important religious leaders. He was only 6 years old at the time of his abduction. The Chinese government installed another young boy in his place, in an attempt to exert control over Tibetans through him. Tibetans refuse to acknowledge this boy as their religious leader. To date, China has denied all requests from the international community to see the real Panchen Lama, and his whereabouts are unknown.

Learn more about the Panchen Lama.

Sign a petition for his release.

Download a petition and ask your friends and family to sign it:

International Petition (to the United Nations)
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Free Tenzin Delek Rinpoche

Take Action to Free Tenzin Delek Rinpoche

Death sentence has been commuted -- now we work to FREE TENZIN
The Chinese government's decision to commute Tenzin Delek's death sentence is a welcome victory for Tibetans and the tens of thousands of people who have worked to save Tenzin Delek's life. It is a testament to the power of international pressure, and shows the effect we can have when we take action. However, Tenzin Delek remains a political prisoner and we will not stop until he is free.

Tenzin Delek Rinpoche is a highly respected Buddhist leader from eastern Tibet. He was convicted on false charges and sentenced to death in December 2002, with a two year reprieve. By participating in the actions below, supporters worldwide have helped save Tenzin Delek's life. Now, we must keep up the pressure until Tenzin Delek is released.

What you can do:

1. Write your Foreign Minister/Secretary of State
Click here for addresses and sample letters for the EU and individual governments.

2. Contact your Congressional Representatives/Member of Parliament
Click here for a sample letter and click here for tips on how to set up a meeting.

3. Write to the Chinese government
Click here for addresses and a sample letter.

4. Educate others about Tenzin Delek's plight
Plan an awareness-raising event between now and April 7th, the day that Tenzin Delek was taken from his monastery and detained. You can set up a table, show a film, or organize a talk to attract attention, and then ask people to sign pre-printed letters or petitions (download a petition here). If you choose a film, there are two very relevant ones you can show. Check out 'Sentenced to Die,' a documentary about Tenzin Delek, at http://el42.com or contact SFT about ordering Devotion and Defiance, a short film about religious persecution in Tibet.

5. Support the campaign to free Tenzin Delek Rinpoche
Make a donation to Students for a Free Tibet so that we can continue our work for the life and freedom of Tenzin Delek. With your support, we can continue to support the hundreds of SFT chapters around the world, create more materials, stage demonstrations and keep up the pressure until Tenzin Delek is free.

6. Spread the image of Tenzin Delek
Raise awareness about Tenzin Delek's case and show China that the world is watching by putting Tenzin Delek's image everywhere.
>>Order stickers (please include your mailing address).
>>Download a flyer and an image of Tenzin Delek's face. (You need Acrobate Reader to view these)
>>Send us photos of Tenzin Delek's image with you, or that you have put in different places, especially with recognizable landmarks, so that we can show the Chinese government that his image is everywhere.
*SFT does not encourage or condone the defacement of public or private property. Please do not put this image on sidewalks, signs, buildings, buses, Chinese government offices, parking garages, etc. Please do put this image on t-shirts, signs etc.

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