Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Aug. 29: A delegation of Tibetans, including Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) President Tsering Chomphel, members of the family of late independence activist Lobga Rangzen, former TYC President and MP Tenzing Jigme, and Regional TYC New York and New Jersey (RTYC NYNJ) President Jamphel Choesang, met with representatives of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations to raise concerns over the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet and the self-immolation of Lobga Rangzen outside the United Nations last month.
The delegation met with Yaryna Ferencevych, Deputy Representative of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, and Maria Macarena Apud, Human Rights Adviser at the U.S. Mission.
During the meeting, the delegation briefed the U.S. officials on the circumstances surrounding Lobga Rangzen’s self-immolation on July 2, 2026, outside the UN headquarters in New York and conveyed the contents of his final message.
In his message, the late martyr strongly condemned China’s repressive policies in occupied Tibet and its ongoing campaign to assimilate and ultimately erase the Tibetan people. He called on fellow Tibetans that restoration of Tibet’s independence is the only lasting solution to end the sufferings endured under China’s colonial occupation.
The delegation said his act reflected the deepening sense of despair resulting from what it described as the continued denial of fundamental rights to Tibetans, including rights relating to their identity, culture, language, and religion.
It also raised concerns over China’s recently enacted Ethnic Unity Law, arguing that the legislation further entrenches policies that could accelerate the assimilation of Tibetans and erode Tibet’s distinct national, cultural, linguistic, and religious identity.
The delegation stressed the need for sustained international scrutiny of Tibet at the United Nations, including through the General Assembly and relevant human rights mechanisms. It called on the U.S. Mission to maintain Tibet on the international agenda, raise concerns over human rights violations in Tibet, and press Beijing on the issue in bilateral engagements
The delegation also urged the U.S. side to raise Tibet-related concerns in discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his anticipated meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on September 24.
The meeting follows a separate engagement between Lobga Rangzen’s family and U.S. Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues Riley M. Barnes on August 19. During that meeting, the family shared concerns over the human rights situation in Tibet, highlighted the significance of Lobga Rangzen’s sacrifice, and called for sustained U.S. attention and broader international engagement on Tibet.
