New York — Tibetan independence activist Lobga Rangzen self-immolated in front of UN building in New York, on July 2,2026. He protested against the Chinese government’s repressive policies in Tibet including China’s new “Ethnic Unity Law” and called for Independence for Tibet, as we as preservation of Tibetan culture and language, unity among Tibetans.
The Tibetan independence activist Lobga Rangze passed away at 7:04 pm at Bellevue Hospital, after the self-immolation around 6:30 pm local time, on June 2, 2026. Lobga Rangzen said in last word, “I don’t want you to mourn for me, I want you to continue the struggle for Tibetan independence, because the lack of independence is the root of all our problems. Bhoe Gyalo, Bhoe Rangzen Gyalo” [Victory to Tibet. Victory to Tibetan Independence].”
Tibetans held a prayer ceremony at the site where Lobga Rangzen, a Tibetan independence activist, had set himself on fire in front of the UN headquarters in New York, on June 2, 2026. Tibetans and Tibetan monasteries around the world also held prayers and candlelight vigils in tribute to Lobsang Palden, a Tibetan independence activist better known as Lobga Rangzen. They further mourned the immense loss of a Tibetan soul in this free country and paid tribute to his courage, determination, and sacrifice for the Tibetan cause and Tibetan independence.
Lobga Rangzen was born in DzaKhong (རྫ་ཁོག), in the Karze region of eastern Tibet. His father’s name was Soga, and his mother’s was Dorjee Lhamo. His three brothers and sisters died in a Chinese prison after protesting against Chinese brutal rule and repressive policies in Tibet. According to those who knew them, his family members were courageous and compassionate people. He was a monk while living in Tibet, and fled the country to seek refuge in India in 1992. He studied at Gaden Jangste Monastery for 13 years and held many positions there.
Then he moved to the United States in 2006. An active advocate for Tibetan independence, he has organised and participated in the Tibetan freedom movement and has staged hunger strikes in New York to demand freedom for Tibetans. He was a member of the Tibetan Regional Youth Congress and Chushi Gangdruk, and he serves as President of the Tibetan National Congress in New York. He was 52 years old when he set himself on fire in front of UN headquarters, wearing a chupa—a traditional Tibetan dress and standing next to the Tibetan national flag, which was flying high in the air as he set himself on fire.
Before setting himself on fire, Lobga posted a live message on Facebook in which he stated that his actions were motivated by his commitment to Tibetan independence and not by personal reasons. He spoke of the lack of freedom under Chinese occupation in Tibet, condemned policies aimed at eradicating the Tibetan identity, and called for Tibetan independence.
His final words were: “I don’t want you to mourn for me, I want you to continue the struggle for Tibetan independence, because the lack of independence is the root of all our problems. Bhoe Gyalo, Bhoe Rangzen Gyalo” [Victory to Tibet. Victory to Tibetan Independence].
He has dedicated his life to peaceful, nonviolent actions aimed at exposing China’s abuses in Tibet and defending the Tibetan people’s right to dignity, faith, language, and freedom. Just the day before, he was protesting China’s “ethnic unity” law, which formalizes the Chinese government’s brutal assimilation campaign against Tibetans.
