Dharamshala, May 22 -- The Tibetan government-in-exile has called upon the international community to renew its efforts pressing for the release of the 11th Panchen Lama.

The exiled Tibetans marked the "30th disappearance day" of 11th Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima recently. Sikyong Penpa Tsering, the political leader of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), said the Panchen Lama's disappearance is out of the most egregious violations of religious freedom and human rights.

The Panchen Lama, considered to be second only to the Dalai Lama by Tibetans, was allegedly abducted by China in 1995. Born in China-occupied Tibet on April 25, 1989, he was just six at the time.

"It is troubling that such a grave injustice has persisted in pl...