Tibetan man dies after setting himself on fire outside UN headquarters in New York

A man died after suffering severe burns near the United Nations headquarters in New York City on Thursday, with exiled Tibetan activists identifying him as a Tibetan who allegedly set himself on fire in a protest calling for Tibet's independence.

The New York City Police Department said officers responding to an emergency call at around 6.30 pm local time found the man with severe burn injuries. He was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police have not released his identity and said the investigation is ongoing.

Voice of Tibet, a media outlet run by exiled Tibetans, identified the deceased as Tibetan activist Lobga Rangzen. According to the outlet, he self-immolated outside the UN headquarters after making a live appeal for Tibetan independence and unity.

Local news outlet amNewYork reported that Rangzen worked as an Uber driver and had arrived at the scene carrying a Tibetan flag. It quoted fellow Uber driver Lobsang Paljor as saying Rangzen was deeply angered by restrictions imposed by the Chinese government on Tibetans.

The incident came days after China implemented a new ethnic unity law that seeks to promote a shared national identity among the country's 55 recognised ethnic minority groups, including Tibetans and Uyghurs.

The United States and the European Union have expressed concern over the legislation, while Tibetan groups have opposed it. Self-immolation has long been used by some Tibetans as a form of protest against Beijing's policies in Tibet and other Tibetan-populated regions.

China took control of Tibet in 1950, describing the move as a "peaceful liberation", while Tibetan exiles and international human rights organisations have repeatedly accused Beijing of suppressing Tibetan culture, religion and identity. China has consistently rejected those allegations.

Tencho Gyatso, president of the Campaign for Tibet, described Rangzen as "a tireless advocate for Tibet" and said she was deeply saddened by his death.

According to the organisation, more than 150 Tibetans self-immolated between 2009 and 2022, including 10 cases involving Tibetans living in exile.

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