Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile’s Statement During the Peace March Organised Jointly by the Kashag and the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile on the 49th Day (7th Week) Observance of the Sacrifice of Patriotic Hero Rangzen Lobga. Photo / Tenzin Phende / CTAGreetings to everyone participating in the Peace March today. On July 2, 2026—the second day after the Chinese communist regime officially implemented its so-called “Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress” on July 1, 2026—patriotic hero Rangzen Lobga carried the Tibetan national flag in front of the United Nations headquarters in New York City and set himself on fire in protest against the Chinese Communist Party for Tibetan independence. Today marks the 49th day (7th weekly) observance of his passing. We pay our deepest homage to the late hero and to all patriotic heroes both inside and outside Tibet who have sacrificed their lives, for the just cause of Tibet’s religion, politics, and nationality, Under the joint organization of the Kashag (Cabinet) and the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE), an extensive prayer service was held this morning at the Thekchen Choling Tsuglagkhang, followed by this Peace March.Since the illegal invasion and occupation of Tibet, the Chinese communist government has continuously exploited and inflicted unprecedented destruction on Tibet’s natural resources across its three traditional provinces through mining, deforestation, the South-to-North Water Diversion project, and the damming and diverting of rivers for hydropower construction. Furthermore, Tibetans have been completely deprived of their fundamental human rights, with severe restrictions on freedom of religion, movement, speech, and the preservation and promotion of Tibetan language. Over a million Tibetan children have been forcibly placed in Chinese state-run colonial boarding schools, leaving them with no opportunity to study their own religion, culture, and language except for the Chinese language.At the initial stage with the implementation of its “second-generation ethnic policies” against the will of the Tibetan people, the Chinese Communist Party has repeatedly enforced cruel measures impacting both the people and the environment of Tibet. Tibetans inside and outside Tibet have launched numerous protest movements against these policies. In particular, since 2009, around 157 known cases of Self-immolations have happened inside Tibet to protest against the Chinese Communist Party’s hardline policies.Recently on July 2, before his self-immolation, the late patriotic hero Rangzen Lobga stated in his final video testament:“The Chinese Communist Party is implementing policies aimed at completely eradicating the Tibetan identity… Therefore, from now on, what I want to tell you is that the Chinese Communists have persecuted all of us Tibetans, irrespective of whether we belong to Dotoe, Domed or Utsang province (the three traditional provinces of Tibet). We are all Tibetans. Therefore, we should work together for the Tibetan nation; we should work for the people of Tibet. Today, when we say that we do not have human rights, that we do not have freedom of speech, that we do not have the freedom to display a portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama – if we examine why we do not have these freedoms, it is because we lost the independence of Tibet. That’s why, from today onwards, whether it is the Tibetan government (in exile), the Tibetan parliament (in exile), or the Tibetan people, it is important that we should all be united and work for the cause of the Tibetan nation and the Tibetan people. As stated in his final testament, such immense sacrifices are direct consequences of successive ruthless policies enforced by the Chinese communist Party. Despite these sacrifices—which are clear to the entire world—the Chinese government continues to disregard and trample upon them, spreading false and irresponsible disinformation through media and social channels to mislead the public.During this critical and urgent time, we strongly appeal the international community to take a moral and just responsibility through the following actions:Closely monitor the implementation and human rights implications of the Ethnic Unity and Progress Law and ensure sustained international scrutiny.Support independent investigations through United Nations human rights mechanisms, including the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Special Rapporteurs, Treaty Bodies, and the Universal Periodic Review process.Publicly express concern regarding the implementation and consequences of the Ethnic Unity and Progress Law.Raise the issue in bilateral engagements and multilateral forums, including the United Nations and other international institutions.Support the protection of the cultural, linguistic, religious, and human rights of Tibetans and other affected nationalities.Strengthen measures to counter transnational repression and protect Tibetan communities, human rights defenders, and advocates living within your country. Oppose all forms of transnational repression that threaten democratic freedoms in the world.Recognize that Tibet was historically an independent nation, prior to the forceful invasion and occupation of Tibet.Impress upon the leadership of PRC to engage in peaceful dialogue to resolve the conflict between Tibet and China supporting the peaceful, non-violent aspirations of the Tibetan people in accordance with the vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The implementation of the Ethnic Unity and Progress Law is not solely a Tibetan concern. It is a test of the international community’s commitment to protecting cultural diversity, freedom of religion or belief, linguistic rights, minority protections, and the rule of international human rights law.When the identity of a people is threatened, the principles upon which the international human rights system is built are also put at risk.The Tibetan struggle is rooted in truth and non-violence. We believe that remaining silent in the face of injustice anywhere gives perpetrators the confidence to continue their misdeeds. Therefore, lasting peace cannot be achieved through forced assimilation. Lasting unity cannot be built by erasing identity. A stable and harmonious future can only be founded on respect for human dignity, cultural diversity, religious freedom, and meaningful dialogue. The future of Tibet should be shaped through dialogue—not assimilation; through justice—not coercion.The sacrifice of patriotic hero Lobga Rangzen through his act of self-immolation highlighted the suffering of Tibetans to the United Nations, governments, and people around the world. By directly confronting and protesting Chinese policies, his action has opened a new chapter in the history of the Tibetan struggle for truth.Accordingly, on July 3, the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile issued an official press release. Following that, a total of 838 official appeal letters regarding these issues were dispatched to governments, parliaments, the United Nations, the European Union and international bodies worldwide. Appeals were also sent electronically to international media outlets. Furthermore, instructions were sent to the Offices of Tibet via the Kashag to follow up with Parliamentary Support Groups for Tibet and local Tibetan associations. Additionally, written guidance was provided to all Members of Parliament to inform local communities about Rangzen Lobga’s sacrifice during their official visitation programs across Tibetan settlements in India.In late July, coinciding with the Monsoon Session of the Indian Parliament, two parliamentary delegation teams led by the Deputy Speaker met with Indian Central Cabinet Ministers, Members of both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha), and other key dignitaries to advocate for Tibet and hand over official appeal documents regarding the late Lobga Rangzen’s sacrifice and the Chinese government’s recently implemented ‘Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress’.Furthermore, during the upcoming Parliamentary session in September, all Members of Parliament will hold a special deliberation to discuss future action plans.We express our deep appreciation to Tibetans and Tibet supporters worldwide who have continuously organized diverse and large-scale campaigns following the sacrifice of patriotic hero Rangzen Lobga—especially the Tibetans and non-governmental organizations in New York. We urge everyone, both publicly and individually, to maintain strong resolve in their hearts and intensify efforts for the common Tibetan cause until truth prevails.In conclusion: We pray deeply for the long life of His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama—the savior and guide of all sentient beings across the three realms and especially the people of the Land of Snows—that He may live for a hundred eons, that all His noble aspirations be spontaneously fulfilled without impediment, and that the ultimate noble wishes of all departed Martyrs who sacrificed their precious lives for the cause of the Tibetan nation and people be fully realized.Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile August 20, 2026………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………* In the event of any discrepancy between this English translation and the original Tibetan text, the latter shall be considered authoritative and final for all purposes*