The second most important Buddhist figure in Tibet was detained by Chinese authorities two decades ago - and the Tibetan monks want him back.

Considered by many as one of the longest-serving political prisoners, the Panchen Lama, then a six-year-old boy named Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, was believed to have been kept by China three days after he was appointed by the Dalai Lama.

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The Dalai Lama named Nyima as the 11th Panchen Lama on May 14, 1995.

BBC News reported that the Asian giant has refused to divulge any information about the Panchen Lama's location, noting, however, that China was protecting him from being "kidnapped by separatists."

The Chinese government added that the Panchen Lama is attending school and is living a normal life in the mainland while his parents and siblings are believed to be working or studying in China as well.

The Office of Tibet in London press spokesman Wangdue Tsering told BBC that the 20th anniversary of the Panchen Lama's disappearance will be celebrated around the world through different events, including candle light vigils in London, outside the Chinese embassy.

"We are appealing to the world community to help us find out where the Panchen Lama is. ...It's 20 years since he disappeared and we don't know where he is, where his family is and how he is. We want the Chinese authorities to give some information," Tsering told BBC, according to a May 17 report from The Economic Times of India.

Tsering appealed "to the world community" to find the lost spiritual figure.

UCA News reported that Tsering said in a speech in Dharamshala, India, that Tibetan monks believe that the Panchen Lama was abducted so that his "spiritual influence" on young Tibetans will not come through as he will not have access to Buddhist studies and the Buddhist way of life.

TagsTibet, Tibetan monks, Panchen Lama, Panchen Lama disappearance, Wangdue Tsering, religin, Buddhists