Brussels, 19 August 2026: The Office of Tibet, Brussels, organised a 49th-day memorial prayer service on 19 August 2026 at Nalanda Monastery in Brussels from 13:00 to 15:00 in remembrance of Martyr Lobsang Palden, popularly known as Pawo Lobga Rangzen, who passed away following his self-immolation in front of the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 2 July 2026, in protest against the Chinese Government’s continued repressive policies in Tibet.

Staff members of the Office of Tibet, Brussels, together with members of the Tibetan community, gathered for the solemn prayer service to pay their respects and honour the sacrifice and message of Martyr Lobga Rangzen.

Secretary Thinley Wangdue of the Office of Tibet, Brussels, addressed the gathering and stated that, under the joint direction of the 17th Kashag and the 18th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE), Tibetans around the world were called upon to observe the 49th-day prayer service in memory of Martyr Lobga Rangzen and to remember all Tibetans who have sacrificed their precious lives for the cause of Tibetan freedom.

Recalling the final message left by Pawo Lobga Rangzen for Tibetans, Secretary Thinley Wangdue urged those present to keep his message close to their hearts and to put its principles into practice throughout their lives. He further called on Tibetans to remain committed to the cause of Tibetan freedom and to carry forward the aspirations of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for Tibet.

At 14:00, staff members of the Office of Tibet joined a peaceful protest at Place de l’Albertine in Brussels, organised by the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (RTYC), Belgium. The protest sought to raise public awareness of the Chinese Communist Party’s assimilation policies and their impact on Tibetan culture, identity, language and religious freedom. It also provided an opportunity to share Pawo Lobga Rangzen’s final message with the general public.

Along with the memorial prayer service for Martyr Lobga Rangzen and the subsequent activities in Brussels, the wider Tibetan community around the world continued its efforts to raise international awareness and seek support in opposing the newly enacted CCP’s Ethnic Unity and Progress Law. Tibetans have expressed serious concerns that the law could further accelerate the assimilation of Tibetan religion, language, culture and identity under the stated objective of promoting ethnic unity and progress.

Secretary Thinley Wangdue was accompanied by Dhondup Gyalpo, Tibetan Liaison Officer for Europe, Tenzin Phuntsok, EU Advocacy Officer and Tenzin Nordhen, Accountant