URGENT PROTEST & CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL

Outside the Chinese Embassy, London (49-51 Portland Place) Friday, 3rd July 2026 from 7pm – 9pm

Join members of the Tibetan community and supporters for an urgent peaceful protest and candle light vigil outside the Chinese Embassy in London to honour the life of Lobga Rangzen, a Tibetan who died after an act of self-immolation in front of the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 2 July 2026. This gathering is an act of remembrance and solidarity, drawing attention to continuing concerns over political, human rights, religious freedom, and the protection of Tibet’s cultural identity.

The vigil also comes in the wake of China’s Ethnic Unity Law, which entered into force on 1 July 2026. The law has been met with strong criticism from Tibetan and Uyghur organisations, parliamentarians, and human rights groups, who argue that it further entrenches state-led assimilation policies and threatens the languages, religions, cultures, and identities of non-Han peoples living under Chinese rule. Many Tibetan organisations view these policies as part of a decades-long effort to erase Tibet’s distinct national, cultural, and religious identity following the Chinese Communist Party’s takeover of Tibet after coming to power in 1949.

Organised by Tibet Action Institute and Free Tibet, this urgent vigil will provide an opportunity to pay tribute to Lobga Rangzen’s life, reflect on the circumstances that led to his final act, and stand in solidarity with Tibetans who continue to advocate peacefully for human rights, freedom, dignity, and justice.

Since 2009, more than 157 Tibetans have died following acts of self-immolation in Tibet and in exile. These tragedies have unfolded against a backdrop of longstanding restrictions on religious practice, cultural expression, linguistic rights, and fundamental freedoms. Human rights organisations and Tibet experts have documented these cases as emblematic of the profound despair experienced by many Tibetans, while continuing to call for peaceful dialogue and meaningful action to address the underlying human rights concerns.

This gathering is a peaceful expression of remembrance, compassion, and solidarity. Together, we honour those who have lost their lives, stand with the Tibetan people, and reaffirm our commitment to the peaceful pursuit of human rights, freedom, justice, and the preservation of Tibet’s unique cultural and religious heritage.

Stand with Tibet. Remember those who have been lost. Defend human rights. Protect Tibet’s identity. Continue the struggle through peaceful action.

Statement by Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities

It is with profound sadness that we mourn the death of Lobga Rangzen, a Tibetan who died following an act of self-immolation outside the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 2 July 2026.

Our deepest condolences go to his family, friends, and all Tibetans who continue to endure decades of political repression, restrictions on fundamental freedoms, and the erosion of their cultural, religious, and linguistic identity. No one should ever feel driven to such an act in an effort to draw the world’s attention to the suffering of their people.

More than seventy years after the People’s Republic of China asserted control over Tibet, the unresolved China–Tibet conflict continues to inflict profound human, cultural, and political consequences. The recent implementation of China’s Ethnic Unity Law has intensified concerns among Tibetans, Uyghurs, Southern Mongolians, and many international human rights advocates that state assimilation policies will further undermine the distinct identities and fundamental rights of non-Han peoples.

Since 2009, more than 157 Tibetans have died following acts of self-immolation in Tibet and in exile. These tragic deaths should not be viewed in isolation. They are a stark reminder of the deep frustration and despair felt by many Tibetans and underscore the urgent need for the international community to address the underlying causes of this longstanding conflict.

The Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities condemns the policies of the Chinese Communist Party and the Government of the People’s Republic of China that continue to deny Tibetans the full enjoyment of their fundamental human rights, including freedom of religion, expression, language, and culture. We renew our call for meaningful dialogue, accountability for human rights violations, and a peaceful resolution to the China–Tibet conflict that respects the rights, dignity, and aspirations of the Tibetan people.

Today, we remember Lobga Rangzen with sorrow. May his death strengthen the resolve of the international community to pursue justice through peaceful means and ensure that the voices of the Tibetan people are neither ignored nor forgotten.