Chain ser: The eternal life of the world's youngest political prisoner

In May 1995, MOLD He was named the eleventh Panchen Lama, That six-year-old boy was recognized as the reincarnation of the previous spiritual guide of the Himalayan nation and He became the Dalai Lama's right-hand man and responsible for the election of his successor. But Gendun was not liked by the Chinese government and six days after his appointment he disappeared.. The reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama, died in 1989, He was the son of a poor family in Tibet and his disappearance was considered a kidnapping and Gendun was described as the youngest political prisoner in the world..

Twenty and a half years have passed since that day and no one has ever seen or heard from Gendun again., despite the efforts of the government in exile and different organizations that for years have asked for his freedom or at least contact him. No one has ever heard from that six-year-old boy again, although Beijing assured that the young man lives freely with his parents and under a new identity.

In the spring of 1995 llegó a las tiendas 'The road goes on forever', the third and final album of the Highwaymen, that peculiar meeting of stars that brought together Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson y Waylon Jennings. That album by the country outlaws includes a song that could well be the soundtrack of that kidnapping. 'Live forever', un tema original de Billy Joe Shaver, perhaps it would have given some comfort to the young prisoner. "Nunca nadie me encontrará pero siempre estaré por aquí, viviré para siempre", the group sings. "No dejes que la oscuridad me lleve, guiarme hasta la luz", they whisper.

In these twenty years there have been many demonstrations calling for the freedom of the young man. The Chinese government, For its part, I name another Panchen Lama who lives in Beijing and who the Tibetans do not recognize as theirs. The Dalai Lama, of 80 years, He has pointed out on some occasion that he may not be reincarnated, which would leave Tibet without a successor. since it is the Panchen Lama who is traditionally in charge of his search. The five-centuries-old tradition can be broken although, as those bearded old men sang, young Gendun will live forever even if no one will ever find him..