Lobga Rangzen succumbed to burn injuries after setting himself on fire in New York as rights groups renewed criticism of China’s Tibet policies….reports Asian Lite News Desk
Tibetan activist Lobga Rangzen died after setting himself on fire outside the United Nations headquarters in New York on Thursday evening, according to Tibetan advocacy groups.
The incident occurred a day after China’s Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress Law came into effect. The legislation has drawn criticism from rights groups and UN experts, who have expressed concerns that it could deepen assimilation policies and expand transnational repression.
Before the incident, Rangzen livestreamed a message on social media calling for Tibetan unity and independence. He was taken to Bellevue Hospital with severe burn injuries, where he later died.
Reacting to the incident, Tencho Gyatso, President of the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), described Rangzen as a dedicated advocate for Tibetan rights and called on the international community to address what she termed the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Lobga Rangzen. He devoted himself to peacefully raising awareness of the human rights crisis in Tibet and will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to justice and the Tibetan cause,” Gyatso said in a statement.
Referring to Rangzen’s final social media message, she said he had expressed concern that China’s policies threatened Tibetan identity, language and culture, while urging Tibetans to remain united.
Gyatso also criticised the new law, describing it as “a dangerous escalation” in China’s assimilation policies, and urged the international community to hold Beijing accountable for what she called policies of repression and forced assimilation.
On Wednesday, Tibetan communities staged demonstrations in several countries, including the United States and Belgium, to protest the implementation of the new legislation.
