Tibetan man dies after setting himself on fire outside UN in New York, activists say (www.theguardian.com)
from MicroWave@lemmy.world to world@lemmy.world on 03 Jul 15:21
https://lemmy.world/post/48985937

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”.

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DishonestBirb@lemmy.world on 03 Jul 17:47 collapse

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
  • Self-Immolation was like shocking the first few times it was done, but now only registers a note as a short 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.