Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Tibetan Youth Congress Hunger Strike Day 19 Seeks UN Action
Some Tibetan people are very upset about a new law made by China, called the Ethnic Unity Law.
They think this law is unfair to Tibetans and other minorities.
To show how strongly they feel, they started a hunger strike, which means they stop eating food on purpose.
They have been on the strike for 19 days now, and plan to continue for 49 days.
Many Tibetan groups around the world have joined the protest.
They are holding campaigns in more than seven countries.
One Tibetan person, Lobga Rangzen, burned himself in front of the United Nations building in New York.
That happened 34 days ago.
The protesters want the United Nations to hold China accountable.
They hope the whole world will listen and help Tibet.
The Tibetan Youth Congress' chain hunger strike against China's Ethnic Unity Law entered its 19th day on Thursday.
Three members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile joined the hunger strike in Dharamshala.
TYC General Secretary Tenzin Lobsang said 34 days have passed since Tibetan martyr Lobga Rangzen self-immolated in front of the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Since July 19, 40 chapters of the Tibetan Youth Congress have organized campaigns and protests in more than seven countries.
Protester Tsering Dangchen said the hunger strike is being observed for 49 days as per Tibetan tradition.
- Who
- The Tibetan Youth Congress, three members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, and Tibetan protesters including Tenzin Lobsang, Wangdue Dorjee, and Tsering Dangchen.
- What
- A chain hunger strike in its 19th day protesting against China's Ethnic Unity Law and calling on the United Nations to hold China accountable.
- When
- Thursday, the 19th day of the strike; the global campaign began on July 19, and it has been 34 days since Lobga Rangzen self-immolated.
- Where
- Dharamshala, with protests organized by 40 TYC chapters across more than seven countries.
- Why
- To condemn China's Ethnic Unity Law, which protesters say is aimed at eradicating minorities including Tibetans, and to push the UN to respond to their demands.
- Organizations involved
- Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile
- Day of hunger strike
- 19th day
- Campaign start date
- July 19
- Planned duration
- 49 days per Tibetan tradition
- TYC chapters involved
- 40
- Countries with protests
- More than 7
- Days since self-immolation
- 34 days (Lobga Rangzen, New York UN headquarters)
- Targeted law
- China's Ethnic Unity Law