Jakarta, ThedailyID — A man died after setting himself on fire outside the United Nations headquarters in New York City on Thursday, July 2, in an incident that police continue to investigate. Tibetan advocacy groups later identified the victim as a longtime pro-Tibet activist.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) said officers responded to reports of a person on fire at the intersection of First Avenue and East 42nd Street at approximately 6:32 p.m. local time.
Emergency responders rushed the man to Bellevue Hospital, where doctors later pronounced him dead. Police have not released a motive and said the investigation remains ongoing.
Meanwhile, Tencho Gyatso, president of the International Campaign for Tibet, identified the victim as Lobga Rangzen.
“Lobga was a tireless advocate for Tibet who dedicated his life to peacefully raising awareness about the human rights crisis in Tibet,” Gyatso said in a statement.
According to the organization, Rangzen opposed China’s newly enacted Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress. Beijing says the law aims to strengthen a shared national identity among the country’s ethnic groups.
However, Tibetan and Uyghur advocacy groups argue the legislation will further weaken the cultural and religious rights of ethnic minorities. They accuse the Chinese government of increasing restrictions on minority communities.
China has maintained control over Tibet since sending troops into the region in 1950. Beijing considers Tibet an inseparable part of the country.
Meanwhile, the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s 90-year-old spiritual leader, has lived in exile in India since 1959 after fleeing Lhasa following a failed uprising against Chinese rule.
Authorities have not indicated whether the protest posed any threat to the public. Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
