New York, NY—Three Tibetan youth activists were released from New York City’s 17th precinct. They were arrested yesterday on charges of “disorderly conduct” and “refusal to disperse” after chaining themselves to the vehicular entrances and exits of the United Nations (UN) headquarters on First Avenue.
The three activists, Tsela Zoksang, Tenzin Kunchok, and Tenzin Tseten, are demanding the UN take action after the self-immolation of Tibetan independence activist Lobga Rangzen. The activists successfully blocked the UN entrance and exit, forcing official UN vehicles to wait on the street as activists chanted for a free Tibet. After around 45 minutes, the activists were arrested and taken into custody. Their action was accompanied by a peaceful protest outside the UN by hundreds of Tibetans and allied New Yorkers.
A week after Lobga Rangzen’s death, the UN still has not taken any significant steps to honor Lobga’s life or tackle human rights abuses in Tibet. In response, Tibetan activists and Tibetans around the world have stepped up efforts to press UN leaders to confront an issue they are attempting to ignore.
Tsela Zoksang, the 22-year-old Tibetan activist arrested today, said: “One week ago today, Lobga Rangzen self-immolated to spread the message he dedicated his life to: that a free and independent Tibet is not only a possibility but a moral imperative for the global community. The Chinese government is doing everything in its power to silence people like Lobga. The newly-enacted “Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress Law” is the latest example of China’s decades-long quest to eradicate Tibet’s people and culture. By refusing to condemn this law and taking no meaningful action to honor Lobga’s sacrifice, the United Nations is complicit in China’s severe human rights violations. We took action today to ensure that this complicity is broadcast to the world.”