Tibetan Self-Immolates at UN: Will the World Stop China's ‘Erasure’ of Tibet?
The self-immolation of Tibetan activist Lobga Rangzen outside the UN building in New York and the implementation of China’s new Ethnic Unity Law have thrust Tibet back into the international spotlight. Coming just days before the Dalai Lama’s 91st birthday, the developments have reignited debate over Beijing’s policies toward Tibet. While China says the new law promotes national unity and stability, critics argue it accelerates cultural assimilation and tightens state control over religion, language and ethnic identity. At the same time, concerns are growing over Beijing’s potential interference in the selection of Tibetan Buddhism’s next spiritual leader over the objections of the current Dalai Lama. In this episode, we examine the future of Tibet, the implications of China’s Ethnic Unity Law and the international debate over Tibetan identity and religious freedom. *Recorded on July 16, 2026 at 4:30pm Taiwan Standard Time Host/Senior Producer: Yin Khvat Planner: Miguel Yang Research Assistant: Ryan Pham Videographer: Damon Lin Our guests: Dolma Tsering - National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University International Center for Culture Studies Research Fellow Sana Hashmi - Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation Fellow
