U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Jeanne Shaheen, chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, recently demanded that China immediately release Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama.

They made the demand on the 30th anniversary of Lama's alleged kidnapping.

The Panchen Lama is a key spiritual leader for Tibetans and a symbol of their struggle for religious freedom.

“Beijing’s abduction of the Panchen Lama was an affront to the Tibetan people and their pursuit of religious freedom," read the statement issued by the Senators.

“For decades, China has denied Tibetans the right to self-determination and refused to engage in direct dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives. Meanwhile, Beijing continues to carry out policies to erase Tibetan religion, culture, and language. This is immoral and unjust," they said.

“We call on Beijing to provide credible evidence of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima’s well-being and for his immediate release. The U.S. will continue to steadfastly support Tibetans’ rights to have a say in their own future, preserve their culture, and maintain their religious freedom," the statement said.

On May 17, 1995, three days after he was recognized by the Dalai Lama, the six-year-old Panchen Lama and his parents were allegedly kidnapped by the Chinese Communist Party.