Dharamshala — Tibetan Youth Congress launchesd a Worldwide Chain Protest in Memory of Martyr Lobga Rangzen and Rejects China's so-called "Ethnic Unity Law" on Sunday. They said," The law provides a legal framework for enforcing political conformity and accelerating the assimilation of peoples living under Chinese occupation and rule, including Tibet, East Turkistan, Southern Mongolia, and Manchuria. Unity cannot be created through coercion."
The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) launched of a Worldwide Chain Protest in Memory of Martyr Lobga Rangzen and Rejects China's so-called "Ethnic Unity and progressive Law", beginning from Dharamshala on July 19, 2026 and expanding across the globe through our regional chapters and supporters, nearly 20 countries across the world.
The first group of people participating in the hunger strike includes Lobsang Tsering, Gonpo Dhondup, Karma Yeshe, Lobsang Yeshe, Tenzin Lhamo, and Penpa Tsering—all former members of the executive committee of the Central Tibetan Youth Congress.The TYC will organise a month-long hunger strike in Dharamsala, after which its members will travel to New Delhi and other locations where the regional TYC existed. Furthermore, the Worldwide Chain Protest in Memory of Martyr Lobga Rangzen and Rejects China's so-called "Ethnic Unity and progressive Law", — will take place in New York and at various locations across the United States, Canada, Europe, and other countries to continue the campaign.
Tenzin Lobsang, general secretary of TYC read out the statement of TYC and said, "This international campaign honors the life and final appeal of Tibetan martyr Lobga Rangzen, who died following his self-imolation protest outside of United Nations Headquarters in New York, on July 2, 2026.
"Lobga Rangzen devoted his life to the Tibetan freedom movement. His death must not be reduced to a passing tragedy or met only with words of condolence. His final protest was an appeal to the conscience of the international community and a reminder that Tibet remains an occupied nation whose people continue to struggle for freedom and independence.
"His appeal cannot be ignored, buried, or erased. The Tibetan Youth Congress will carry his message forward through sustained, collective, and nonviolent action until the Tibetan people's struggle receives the international attention and action it demands.
"Beginning in Dharamshala, TYC will organise a chain hunger strike accompanied by coordinated demonstrations, candlelight vigils, public rallies, awareness campaigns, diplomatic outreach, and peaceful direct actions. TYC chapters and supporters worldwide will continue these actions in succession, standing together unity, and resistance."
Tashi Dharjee, Vice President of TYC said, "The Tibetan Youth Congress unequivocally rejects the "Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law" imposed by the so-called People's Republic of China. The law, which came into force on July 1, 2026, provides a legal framework for enforcing political conformity and accelerating the assimilation of peoples living under Chinese occupation and rule, including Tibet, East Turkistan, Southern Mongolia, and Manchuria.
"Unity cannot be created through coercion. Behind the language of "ethnic unity", this law strengthens a unilateral system through, which the Chinese government suppresses distinct languages, dominates religious institutions, rewrites history, destroys cultural hentage, separates children from their families and communities through state-run colonial boardino schools, and demands absolute loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party.
"A government cannot legislate away the identity of a nation. A policy intended to erase a people's language, culture, history, and spiritual heritage is not unity. It is state-enforced assimilation."
TYC activists said, "in response to the self-immolation of Martyr Lobga Rangzen, the continuing occupation of Tibet, and the implementation of China's assimilation law, the Tibetan Youth Congress issues the following demands:
1. A formal and substantive response from the United Nations: Lobga Rangzen carried out his final protest outside the United Nations Headquarters. The United Nations must respond with more than condolences. We call upon the Secretary-General, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and relevant UN mechanisms to formally address the human rights crisis in Tibet and the circumstances that led to his protest. The United Nations must press China to grant meaningful and unfettered access to Tibet for UN experts, independent observers, and international journalists.
2. An end to language that erases Tibet's national identity: We reject the framing used by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, which treated the Tibetan people merely as a "minority" within China.
Such language is historically inaccurate and politically consequential. It reinforces the Chinese Communist Party's narrative, erases Tibet's independent national identity, and undermines the Tibetan people's right to freedom and independence. The United Nations must uphold truth and impartiality. Its language must not legitimize China's occupation or prejudge the political status and aspirations of the Tibetan people.
3. Accountability for the repression that has driven Tibetans to self-immolation: The Chinese government must be held accountable for the policies and repression that have created the conditions in which LobgaRangzen and numerous other Tibetans have resorted to the act of self-immolation.
We call upon the United Nations and governments worldwide to investigate, document, and publicly challenge China's violations of the political, cultural, linguistic, and religious rights of the Tibetan people.
4. Recognition of Tibet's sovereignty and right to independence: Tibet was an independent nation before its occupation by the People's Republic of China and remains under Chinese occupation today.
We call upon goverments, parliaments, and intermational institutions to recognize Tibet's historical status, reject the characterization of Tibet as merely an internal matter of China, and support the Tibetan people's right to restore their freedom and independence.
5. Immediate repeal of the so-called Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law: We reject immediately repeal it, halt its implementation throughout Tibet, and end all policies intended to eliminate Tibet's distinct national, linguistic, cultural, and religious identity.
6. The immediate and unconditional release of all Tibetan political prisoners: We demand the inmediate and unconditional release of the 1l th Panchen Lama, who became the world's youngest political prisoners after being taken into Chinese custody as a child.
We further demand the release of all Tibetan political prisoners including environmental activists, artists, writers, religious figures, and others imprisoned for peacefully defending Tibet's land, identity, culture, religion, language, and freedom.
Lobga Rangzen's death does not mark the end of his struggle. It is a renewed call for resistance, solidarity, and international action. It confronts the world with a choice: continued silence in the face of occupation and forced assimilation, or meaningful action in defense of truth, freedom, and justice.
The United Nations cannot remain a silent witness. Governments cannot continue to treat Tibet as an inconvenient issue to be ignored. Silence enables repression, and inaction allows the destruction of a nation to continue.
Lobga Rangzen's courage has become a symbol of the unbreakable Tibetan spirit. We honor Lobga Rangzen's life by amplifying his voice through our movement, our unity, and our unwavering commitment to Tibet's independence."
