3 weeks ago
Tibetans in Kalimpong shave heads to honor activist Lobga Rangzen
Some people from Tibet live in a town called Kalimpong, where they have formed a community.
They are very sad because a man named Lobga Rangzen set himself on fire in front of the United Nations building in New York.
He did this because he was angry about a new law from China, the country that rules Tibet.
The law is called the 'Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law' because China says it wants to bring all ethnic groups together.
Many Tibetans think the law actually forces them to give up their own culture.
In Tibetan, 'Pawo' means martyr, and that is what the community calls Rangzen.
To show honour and support, more than 45 men will shave their heads on Thursday.
Later, on August 20, they will also hold a 24-hour hunger strike, which means they will not eat for a whole day.
They hope the United Nations will listen to them and help protect Tibetan people.
Tibetans in Kalimpong will shave their heads on August 13 at Trikon Park to honour activist Lobga Rangzen.
Rangzen, 52, immolated himself in front of the UN headquarters in New York on July 2 to protest China's new ethnic law, adopted a day earlier.
Rangzen was born in Tibet, grew up in India after escaping, and migrated to the US about two decades ago; he is the first Tibetan to self-immolate at the UN.
More than 45 men have registered to take part, and a 24-hour hunger strike is planned in Kalimpong on August 20.
Community members call Article 63 of the law alarming, as it allows legal pursuit of overseas organisations and individuals, and want the UN to review China's alleged assimilation policies.
- Who
- Lobga Rangzen, a 52-year-old Tibetan-born activist who grew up in India, and Tibetan community members in Kalimpong, led by Leksang Phengay of the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress.
- What
- A head-shaving solidarity event to honour Rangzen and protest China's 'Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law', which Tibetans say codifies forced assimilation.
- Where
- Trikon Park, Kalimpong; the self-immolation took place in front of UN headquarters in New York.
- When
- August 13, following Rangzen's self-immolation on July 2.
- Why
- To honour Rangzen's sacrifice, express solidarity, and urge the UN to review China's alleged assimilation policies.
Tibetan community
Chinese government
China's 'Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law'
Tibetan community
Many Tibetans believe the law effectively codifies policies of forced assimilation; they call Article 63 alarming because it allows legal pursuit of organisations and individuals outside mainland China accused of undermining ethnic unity.
Chinese government
China adopted the law on July 1, framing it as a measure to promote ethnic unity and progress across its ethnic groups, and treats acts alleged to undermine ethnic unity as legally actionable.
Key facts
- Event
- Head-shaving solidarity protest at Trikon Park
- Date and time
- August 13, starting at 10am
- Registered participants
- More than 45 men
- Law protested
- China's 'Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law'
- Law adoption date
- July 1
- Activist
- Lobga Rangzen, 52
- Self-immolation
- July 2 at UN headquarters, New York
- Next action
- 24-hour hunger strike on August 20 in Kalimpong
Quotes
Leksang Phengay
General secretary of the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (RTYC), Kalimpong
“Pawo Lobga Rangzen immolated himself to protest against China’s new ethnic law. In honour of his sacrifice and to express solidarity with his selfless act, the Tibetan community members from Kalimpong have decided to shave their heads on August 13.”
telegraphindia.com
“More than 45 men have already registered themselves and volunteered to shave their heads. We expect more people to register on the event day.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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