The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) on Sunday began a worldwide chain protest campaign from Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh. The campaign opened with a 24-hour chain hunger strike to honour Tibetan activist Lobga Rangzen and oppose China's 'Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law.'
Former office-bearers of the TYC and several Tibetan activists joined the hunger strike near the Tsuglagkhang temple in Dharamshala. The organisation said the campaign aims to highlight the human rights situation in Tibet through candlelight vigils, rallies, awareness drives, diplomatic outreach and other peaceful demonstrations across different countries.
In a statement, the TYC said the campaign is dedicated to the memory of Lobga Rangzen, who died after setting himself on fire outside the United Nations headquarters in New York on July 2.
The organisation said Rangzen's final act was intended as an appeal to the international community to pay attention to Tibet's situation. It described Tibet as an occupied nation whose people continue to seek freedom and independence.
The TYC also criticised China's 'Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law,' which came into effect on July 1.
"A government cannot legislate away the identity of a nation. A policy intended to erase a people's language, culture, history, and spiritual heritage is not unity. It is state-enforced assimilation," the statement said.
Former TYC president and current Member of Parliament Gonpo Dhundup said the hunger strike was organised to honour Lobga Rangzen's sacrifice and keep the Tibetan movement alive.
He said the protest also sends a message to the Chinese government that Tibetans will continue their struggle until they achieve what they consider their rightful freedom.
Dhundup said the campaign will gradually expand beyond Dharamshala and continue in different countries over the coming months. He added that future programmes are planned in cities such as Delhi and New York, along with several other locations around the world.
Former TYC Vice President Lobsang Tsering said that the protest is also aimed at opposing China's newly enforced law. "We are protesting against the Chinese government, specifically against the 'National Unity' law that China implemented on July 1st. China has already committed many atrocities in Tibet, and now they are implementing laws to further tighten their grip and destroy Tibetan culture and religion. This hunger strike is not just happening here in Himachal Pradesh, but will continue across the world wherever there is a chapter of the Tibetan Youth Congress," he said.
TYC General Secretary Tenzin Lobsang said one of the campaign's key demands is for the United Nations to acknowledge Lobga Rangzen's sacrifice and raise concerns over the human rights situation in Tibet.
He said the worldwide campaign is also intended to protest what the organisation described as the UN's silence over Tibetan self-immolations and China's implementation of the 'Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law.'
Lobsang outlined the campaign's major demands. He said the TYC wants the UN Secretary-General to acknowledge Lobga Rangzen's sacrifice and speak about the human rights situation in Tibet. The organisation also called on China to take responsibility for the deaths of nearly 170 Tibetans who allegedly self-immolated in protest against Chinese rule.
In addition, it appealed to governments, international organisations and human rights groups around the world to support the Tibetan cause. The TYC also demanded the unconditional release of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, recognised by many Tibetans as the Panchen Lama, along with all Tibetan political prisoners.
Also read: Exiled Tibetans mourn activist's death
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