§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What information they have about the welfare and health of the 10 year-old Panchen Lama, who is detained at an unknown location in China, and whether they will refer his case to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitary Detention. [HL3879]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalWe have taken every opportunity to seek information from the Chinese Government, both bilaterally and in conjunction with our EU partners, on the well-being of the child recognised by the Dalai Lama as the Panchen Lama. We have also sought permission to visit the child. While this has not been agreed by the Chinese authorities, they have reported that the child is living normally with his family. The UN is already aware of the child's case. It was raised with the Chinese authorities by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights when she visited China in September 1998, and was referred to in a recent report of the UN Working12WA Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances and Summary Executions.