Key facts
- A Tibetan man died after self-immolating near the UN headquarters in New York.
- The U.S. State Department supports Tibetan aspirations to preserve their culture.
- The U.S. urged China to resume dialogue with the Dalai Lama and Tibetan leaders.
- The International Campaign for Tibet reports 159 self-immolations by Tibetans since 2009.
The U.S. State Department has reiterated its support for the Tibetan people's aspirations to preserve their culture and called on China to re-engage in dialogue with the Dalai Lama and Tibetan leaders. This statement follows the death of a Tibetan man, identified as Lobga Rangzen, who died after setting himself on fire near the United Nations headquarters in New York. Activists stated he was making a live appeal for Tibetan independence and unity.
A spokesperson for the State Department affirmed the U.S. commitment to supporting the unalienable human rights of Tibetans, allowing them to celebrate and preserve their unique culture, language, and religion without fear of interference. The U.S. also urged China to return to direct, unconditional dialogue to resolve differences and achieve meaningful autonomy for Tibetans.
Washington has consistently supported Tibetan human rights across different administrations. In response to the incident, China defended its territorial claims, asserting that Tibet has been an inalienable part of the country since ancient times and that the matter should be handled according to domestic laws. Beijing has previously criticized Washington's stance on Tibet-related issues.
China considers the Dalai Lama a separatist and maintains that it must approve his successor. The Dalai Lama, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, has advised his followers against accepting anyone chosen by Beijing. China took control of Tibet in 1950, describing it as a "peaceful liberation." International human rights groups and Tibetan exiles frequently condemn China's governance in Tibetan areas, allegations that China denies. The International Campaign for Tibet reports that 159 Tibetans have self-immolated since 2009, with 11 occurring while in exile. Dozens demonstrated outside the U.N. headquarters on Thursday, a week after Tibetan activist Lobsang Palden lit himself on fire and died from severe burns. Protesters held a banner reading "Volker Turk end your silence on Tibet" in front of the U.N. headquarters in New York.