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Inner Mongolian Political Prisoner's Deteriorating Health

Southern Mongolian Human Rights

Information Center

New York City

October 1, 2004

Ms. Xinna, wife of Mr. Hada, recently visited her husband Mr. Hada in Inner Mongolia Jail No.4 in Chifeng City of eastern Inner Mongolia and in a phone interview, reported that “because of the worsening living condition of the jail and inhumane treatment by the authorities, Hada’s health condition is in question.” 

Mr. Hada was the president of the Southern Mongolian Democratic Alliance (SMDA), a peaceful organization asking for greater autonomous rights for the Mongols in the region as guaranteed by the Chinese constitution. In December 1995, the authorities denounced the Southern Mongolian Democratic Alliance as an illegal organization "engaging in separatist activities" and arrested Mr. Hada along with more than 70 members and demonstrators. In December 1996, Mr. Hada was sentenced to 15 years jail for "separating the country and engaging in espionage". Currently, Mr. Hada is serving his sentence in Inner Mongolia Jail No.4 at Chifeng City. Hada's wife, Ms Xinna, and young son Uiles have been subjected to continual police intimidation and allowed only limited visitation rights.

“This is my first and last visit to the prison this year,” Ms. Xinna says, “because the authorities always find excuses to block our visits and harass us and have subjected us to tougher restrictions than the twice a month visits allowed allowed by the law to family members.” Ms. Xinna also revealed that this time, she was allowed to meet with Mr. Hada for only 30 minutes. During this short visit, prison guards closely monitored them and all their conversations and actions were recorded and videotaped. The food, clothes, medicines, and books that Xinna wanted to bring to Hada were all confiscated by the authorities at the prison door. Xinna also reported that Mr. Hada has never been allowed to read books, watch TV, and listen to the radio. No phone calls, no internet access, and no mail service are allowed.

“He has to do more than 10 hours hard labor every day, and at night he has to sleep in the small and humid prison sell with 12 other criminal inmates,” Xinna told us, “prison guards always ask these criminal inmates to beat up Hada.” According to Xinna, Hada’s serious stomach condition is getting worse since the food is inedible. He vomits after almost every meal. Xinna has asked for proper medical treatment many times however, the authorities have never responded to this request for medical attention. “He has to serve another 7 years to complete his jail term,” says Xinna, “we are really worried if he is going to make it with this kind of prison condition.”

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