Tibetan activist Logba Rangzen dies after self-immolation outside UN headquarters, activists say
A Tibetan man died Thursday after setting himself on fire outside the United Nations headquarters in New York City, police said. Activists identified him as Logba Rangzen, a 42-year-old Uber driver and longtime US resident who protested against Chinese rule in Tibet.
The incident
On Thursday evening, a man set himself on fire outside the United Nations headquarters in New York City. Police received an emergency call around 6:30 p.m. ET and found the man badly burned at the intersection of First Avenue and 42nd Street. UN surveillance footage showed him planting a Tibetan flag on the pavement, pouring a flammable liquid over himself, and igniting it. He collapsed less than a minute later, and emergency responders extinguished the flames with fire extinguishers. He was transported to Bellevue Hospital in critical condition and later pronounced dead.
- Police receive emergency call about a man on fire near UN headquarters.
- Man plants Tibetan flag, pours flammable liquid, and sets himself on fire.
- Collapses less than a minute later; emergency responders extinguish flames.
- Transported to Bellevue Hospital and pronounced dead.
Victim identified
While police have not officially confirmed the man's identity, activists and media outlets identified him as Logba Rangzen, a 42-year-old Tibetan activist. Rangzen had lived in the United States for about 20 years and worked as an Uber driver. He arrived at the scene wearing a monastic robe and carrying a Tibetan flag, along with signs reading "China Out of Tibet." Fellow Uber driver Lobsang Paljor, who knew Rangzen from community gatherings, said he was deeply upset about Chinese policies.
He was enraged by the restrictions the Chinese government had placed on his countrymen.
Context: Tibet and China's new law
The self-immolation occurred just days after China's new ethnic unity law took effect, which aims to create a shared national identity among the country's 55 ethnic minority groups, including Tibetans and Uyghurs. The law gives Beijing the legal basis to take action against people outside its borders. The United States and the European Union have expressed concern about the legislation. Tibetans worldwide have opposed the law, and self-immolation has been used as a form of protest against Chinese rule in the past. China seized control of Tibet in 1950 and considers it an integral part of its territory, while many Tibetans claim historical independence and accuse Beijing of cultural destruction.
Reactions
Tencho Gyatso, president of the International Campaign for Tibet, described Rangzen as a tireless advocate for Tibet and expressed deep sadness at his death. The Tibetan flag remained at the scene for about an hour after the incident as police investigated. The UN did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
He was a tireless advocate for Tibet.
