27 August 2026, New York — Central Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) President Mr. Tsering Chomphel, together with family members of Pawo Lobga Rangzen, former TYC President and former Member of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Mr. Tenzing Jigme, and RTYC New York & New Jersey President Mr. Jamphel Choesang, met with representatives of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations to brief them on the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet and the extraordinary sacrifice of Pawo Lobga Rangzen.
The delegation met with Yaryna Ferencevych, Deputy Representative of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, and Maria Macarena Apud, Adviser at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations on the Human Rights Desk.
The delegation briefed the U.S. officials on the circumstances surrounding Pawo Lobga Rangzen’s self-immolation outside the United Nations Headquarters on 2 July 2026, as well as his final message calling attention to the Tibetan freedom struggle and the urgent need for international action. The delegation emphasized that his sacrifice reflects the profound desperation arising from the continued denial of fundamental rights in Tibet.
The delegation also raised serious concerns regarding China’s recently enacted so-called Ethnic Unity Law, which further institutionalizes policies that threaten Tibet’s distinct national, cultural, linguistic, and religious identity.
The meeting underscored the importance of sustained U.S. and international attention to Tibet at the United Nations, particularly through the UN General Assembly and its human rights mechanisms. The delegation urged the U.S. Mission to continue raising Tibet’s human rights situation at the United Nations and to ensure that the issue of Tibet is raised with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his upcoming meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.
