For Lobga Rangzen. Veteran Tibetan independence activist Lobga Rangzen who self-immolated in front of the United Nations Headquarters in New York on July 2 at around 5:49 pm. He sustained severe burn injuries and was immediately rushed to Bellevue Hospital for emergency treatment.
He succumbed to his injuries at approximately 7:04 pm the same evening. He was a Tibetan refugee who lived in New York and worked as a cab-driver. He also served as the President of Tibetan National Congress’s New York/New Jersey chapter.
His death comes a day after the implementation of China’s new so-called “Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress Law,” a sweeping legislation that exile Tibetans describe as codification of genocide in Tibet.
In a video posted on his personal Facebook account prior to the act, Lobga Rangzen issued a detailed political statement addressing Tibetans in exile and expressing strong criticism of Chinese repressive policies in Tibet. He also called on Tibetans in exile to unite and work collectively for Tibetan independence and to remain united in the ongoing freedom struggle movement.
(Excepted from the news on Phayul on July 3rd 2026)
