Exiled Tibetans say the man’s self-immolation was an appeal for Tibetan independence from China

Exiled Tibetans say the man’s self-immolation was an appeal for Tibetan independence from China

Police in New York said a man has died from severe burns near the United Nations headquarters, and activists ⁠and a media outlet ⁠of exiled Tibetans identified him as a Tibetan who set himself on fire in an appeal for independence.

A New York City police department spokesperson said police found the man badly burned after responding to an emergency call ⁠made at about 6.30pm ET .

He was taken to Bellevue hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said, adding they were still investigating the death. ⁠Police did not name the man and did not provide any potential motive for his action.

Voice of Tibet, a media outlet of exiled Tibetans, said Tibetan activist Lobga ‌Rangzen “self-immolated outside the UN headquarters in ‌New York after a live appeal for Tibetan independence and unity”.

  • DishonestBirb@lemmy.worldEnglish
    145·
    24 days ago

    I find myself unable to comprehend why anyone would do this, as it clearly will not alter the situation with Tibet.

    • China just won’t care at all
    • No other country is going to negatively engage China on Tibet because of one man’s act of suicide
    • Self-Immolation was likely shocking the first few times it was done, but now only warrants a short, quickly forgotten news article
    • Just like hunger strikes, it harms no one but the person doing it, and so effects zero actual change
    • So he basically died to accomplish nothing whatsoever

    I can only assume his last moments were spent in extreme pain and regret (which is what I think likely happens with most suicides that last long enough to allow for such a thing).

    Unless the guy was severely depressed or was otherwise planning to off himself regardless, and just took this as a ‘justified’ way to end everything, this act is bizarre and nonsensical.