On December 10, International Human Rights Day, the Southern Mongolian Congress (World Southern Mongolia Assembly) and three partner organizations issued a joint statement calling urgent international attention to the severe and worsening human rights situation in Southern Mongolia under Chinese rule. The statement highlights the disappearance of prominent leader Hada, ongoing cultural genocide against the Mongolian people, and China’s transnational repression, including the imprisonment of activist Munkhbayar Chuluundorj in independent Mongolia. The organizations call on the international community to take immediate action.
JOINT STATEMENT ON SOUTHERN MONGOLIA
International Human Rights Day
December 10, 2025
On the occasion of the 2025 International Human Rights Day, we, the Inner Mongolian People’s Party, Southern Mongolia Congress, World Mongolian Federation Japan, and the Southern Mongolian Human Rights Information Center, urgently call the international community’s attention to the grave and deteriorating human rights situation in Southern Mongolia, also known as “Inner Mongolia.”
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the day when the renowned leader of the Southern Mongolian national movement, Mr. Hada, was first deprived of his freedom on December 10, 1995. After decades of arbitrary imprisonment, extrajudicial detention, indefinite house arrest, and around-the-clock surveillance, he and his family have now completely disappeared following a “medical emergency” declared by the Chinese authorities this February. We express our deepest concern over his safety and that of his family members, and demand immediate clarification of their whereabouts and well-being. We strongly urge the Chinese government to return freedom to Hada and his family immediately and unconditionally.
Southern Mongolia continues to face the relentless destruction of its identity through what can only be described as ongoing cultural genocide. Chinese authorities are forcibly erasing the Mongolian language, culture, identity, and national consciousness under political campaigns promoting the so-called “Chinese Nationality Common Identity.” Children are stripped of Mongolian-medium education. The Mongolian language has not only been banned in all schools, but also severely restricted in social and public life.
Among those unjustly persecuted are writer and historian Mr. Lhamjab Borjigin, herders’ leader and activist Ms. Yanjindulam, lawyer Mr. Huhbulag, and many other Southern Mongolians whose only “crime” is preserving their culture, promoting their rights, and defending their land. Their detention and harassment further demonstrate the systematic nature of China’s ongoing repression.
China’s transnational repression is epitomized by the case of Mr. Munkhbayar Chuluundorj, a citizen and activist of the independent country of Mongolia, who is serving the third year of a ten-year prison term in Ulaanbaatar for criticizing the Chinese government’s repression in both Southern Mongolia and independent Mongolia.
On this universal day recognizing human dignity and fundamental freedoms, we make the following appeals:
- Immediately restore the liberty of Mr. Hada and his family members.
- Return freedom to Southern Mongolian activists and grassroots leaders, including Mr. Lhamjab Borjigin, Ms. Yanjindulam, and Mr. Huhbulag.
- End transnational repression in independent Mongolia and elsewhere, and release Mr. Munkhbayar Chuluundorj immediately.
- Stop the cultural genocide being carried out against the Mongolian people in Southern Mongolia.
We call on the United Nations, human rights organizations, and democratic governments worldwide to closely monitor the situation and hold the Chinese government accountable for its international obligations.
The survival of Southern Mongolia’s distinct culture, language, and people is at stake. The world must not remain silent.
Signed:
Inner Mongolian People’s Party
Southern Mongolia Congress
World Mongolian Federation Japan
Southern Mongolian Human Rights Information Center