Man Self-Immolates in Front of UN Headquarters

JAKARTA - A man reportedly committed a self-immolation in front of the United Nations (UN) Headquarters after planting a flag related to the government of Tibet in exile on the sidewalk near the scene.

According to local media reports and videos circulating on social media, the incident occurred on Thursday, July 2 at 7 p.m. local time (Friday 06.00 WIB) near the intersection of East 43rd Street and First Avenue,

As captured by the UN surveillance camera, the perpetrator was seen planting a flag before committing suicide. He was immediately taken to Bellevue Hospital in critical condition.

The report also said that a number of leaflets were found at the scene containing demands that "China leave Tibet".

Reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Friday, July 3, the local police have begun investigating the incident. Meanwhile, the flag planted by the perpetrator was observed still flying at the location until one hour after the incident.

Tibet has been under Chinese rule since 1951, which calls the takeover of the territory a "peaceful liberation".

The flag that the perpetrator raised before committing suicide was known to be a flag related to the failed rebellion against the Chinese government in 1959.

After that event, the Tibetan government in exile was established in northern India.

Beijing does not recognize the exiled government and insists Tibet has been Chinese territory since the 13th century.

However, the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, asserted that Tibet was an independent country when the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) entered his territory.