| The International Campaign for Tibet is an organization advocating for a peaceful understanding with China to grant a degree of autonomy that would allow Tibetans in Tibet to preserve their culture and traditions. It supports the Dalai Lama in his struggle to achieve a civilized relationship with China. |
On July 2, a Tibetan activist self-immolated outside the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Washington DC, July 20 (DPnet).— Last week, an activist named Lobsang Palden, aka Lobga Rangzen, shared a video message on Facebook. He warned that China’s snatching away of Tibetan independence is the root cause of its policies in Tibet that threaten the very survival of Tibetan identity, language and culture. He appealed to Tibetans in exile to remain united in their struggle, reminding them of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s call for Tibetans around the world to be the voice for those who cannot speak out.
The timing of that video is important, as it would be his last. On July 2, Lobsang Palden self-immolated outside the United Nations Headquarters — dressed in traditional Tibetan clothes with a Tibetan flag hoisted high beside him. Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries and died that evening.
Participatory Democracy Cultural Initiative and its subsidiary DemocraciaParticipativa.net deeply mourn his passing, alongside his family, friends and the wider Tibetan community. He was a tireless advocate who peacefully and fiercely devoted himself to the Tibetan cause.
Lobga’s self-immolation —the first by a Tibetan on US soil, among the other 170th Tibetan to have done so in the past— took place the day after China’s genocidal Ethnic Unity and Progress Law went into effect. This controversial new policy gives China’s government the license to force minorities —including Tibetans— to conform to a single, state-controlled identity, attacking their language and forcing their religions to become subservient to Chinese Communist Party ideology.
Lobga’s cry was a cry for change, and by calling on US leaders to oppose China’s policies of oppression and support the Assuring the Future of Tibet Act (AFTA) (H.R. 8982) it will elevate and deepen America’s relationship with the Central Tibetan Administration, bolstering Tibetan culture, traditions and governance by strengthening the Tibetan community in exile in Dharamsala, India.
In addition, the Tibet Atrocities Determination Act (S. 4432 / H.R. 9085), a bipartisan, bicameral bill introduced in the US Congress, will direct the US Secretary of State to formally investigate and issue a determination on whether actions by the Chinese government against Tibetans in Tibet amount to genocide or crimes against humanity.
Tencho Gyatso, President of the International Campaign for Tibet, is entreating all good-hearted people who are lovers of democracy and defend human rights, to support their petition to Congress calling on US leaders to publicly condemn China’s policies of forced assimilation and co-sponsor the new legislation mentioned above in support of the Tibetan people. In her request for support, she declares that: «It is imperative that the international community, and the United States, heed his message and hold the Chinese government accountable for its policies of repression and forced assimilation in Tibet. Please join us in adding your name to our petition in Lobga’s memory.»
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