Members of the Canada Tibet Committee have organized a vigil tonight (April 25) on the 22nd birthday of the Panchen Lama.

According to committee president Tenzin Lhalungpa, the Panchen Lama is the youngest known political prisoner. In May 1995, at the age of six, Chinese authorities kidnapped him—his lay name is Gedhun Choekyi Nyima—along with his family. Their whereabouts have never been disclosed. This happened days after the Dalai Lama recognized the boy as the 11th Panchen Lama of Tibet and the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama.

Lhalungpa told the Straight he and many colleagues have been demanding his release ever since. A clock on the Free the Panchen Lama website counts the days—now 5,822—since his capture and incarceration.

“The Panchen Lama is one of the highest reincarnate lamas in Tibet,” Lhalungpa explained by phone. “In the tradition there are four schools of Tibetan Buddhism. He is the second highest of one of the schools of Tibetan Buddhism [Gelug], and his role is very important. His role in choosing the next Dalai Lama is critical—not necessary but critical.”

Lhalungpa calls it “very discouraging” that countless petitions and protests have so far led to nothing. However, the Chinese Communist Party has already hand-picked their own Panchen Lama. Many see this as a means to control the succession of not only the Panchen Lamas, but also the Dalai Lamas.

“The current [exiled 14th] Dalai Lama has already made it clear that he will only be reincarnated into a free society”¦not under repressive rule,” Lhalungpa said. “Basically, what you are seeing here [with a handpicked Panchen Lama] is a dress rehearsal for the Chinese Communist Party for if and when they can choose the next Dalai Lama.”

Lhalungpa is not so sure the Chinese government is so prepared to handpick a 15th Dalai Lama.

“Yes and no,” he said. “I think, if the Chinese do that, I think the Tibetan Plateau will just explode. I think that’s the one thing they are not taking into consideration. Their candidate for the Panchen Lama doesn’t even live in Tibet. When he comes over to his own so-called monastery [in Shigatse, southern Tibet], he comes with his own security detail.”

The vigil will take place at the Chinese consulate (3380 Granville Street) from 6 to 8 p.m.

The consulate did not immediately respond to an interview request today.