Tibetan Activist Lobga Rangzen Dies After Self-Immolation at UN Headquarters
Tragic Incident Outside UN Headquarters
File image of Tibetan activist Loga Rangzen who died after self immolating outside UN headquarters, NY(Photo: @dc4_humanrights/X)
New York, July 3: Tibetan activist Lobga Rangzen tragically passed away after setting himself on fire outside the United Nations headquarters in New York.
The incident occurred on Thursday evening, just a day after the enactment of Beijing's controversial "Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress Law." This legislation has faced significant backlash from the international community, with UN experts cautioning that it could lead to forced assimilation and promote transnational repression.
Prior to his act, Rangzen shared a livestream on social media advocating for Tibetan independence and unity. He later succumbed to his injuries at Bellevue Hospital in New York.
Tencho Gyatso, the President of the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), expressed sorrow over Rangzen's death, calling on the global community to confront the deteriorating human rights conditions in Tibet and to hold the Chinese government accountable for its oppressive policies.
"We are heartbroken by the loss of Lobga, also known as Lobga Rangzen, following his self-immolation at the UN headquarters. He was a dedicated advocate for Tibet, tirelessly working to raise awareness about the human rights crisis there. His commitment to justice and the Tibetan cause will not be forgotten. His death coincides with the implementation of China's new so-called Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress Law," Gyatso remarked.
In his final message on Facebook, Lobga warned that China's policies pose a grave threat to the survival of Tibetan identity, language, and culture, urging all Tibetans to unite in their struggle. While we mourn this tragic loss, it is crucial for the international community to recognize the urgency of his message and address the escalating human rights violations in Tibet, holding the Chinese government accountable for its repressive actions," she added.
On the day before this incident, Tibetan communities worldwide, including in the US and Belgium, organized protests against China's Ethnic Unity and Progress Law as it took effect.
Gyatso characterized the law as a dangerous intensification of China's forced assimilation campaign and a means of erasing Tibetan identity.