Ethnic minorities in the People's Republic of China continue to be marginalized and excluded, resulting in infringements on their rights to preserve their unique cultural identities and express their beliefs. Ethnic rights activists such as Hada (哈达), who has been actively promoting indigenous Mongol culture and language as well as increased political participation for over 20 years, are frequently persecuted for their efforts. Hada, former owner of a Mongolian studies bookshop, was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment for incitement of espionage and separatism for his work with the Southern Mongolian Democratic Alliance.

Too often the cultural and religious expressions of Mongols, Tibetans, Uyghurs and other minorities, are labeled by Chinese authorities as separatism or terrorism. — Sharon Hom, Executive Director of Human Rights in China

"If minorities are not allowed to express their cultural identity and meaningfully participate in the governance of their autonomous areas, then we will continue to see frustration surface as happened in March in Tibetan areas," said Sharon Hom, Executive Director of Human Rights in China. "Too often the cultural and religious expressions of Mongols, Tibetans, Uyghurs and other minorities, are labeled by Chinese authorities as separatism or terrorism. In this system it is not surprising that tensions boil over and only by ensuring human rights can a genuine harmonious society be achieved."

In 1992, Hada formed what would later become the Southern Mongolian Democratic Alliance (SMDA) with fellow activist Tegexi. SMDA later set out its main mission as "opposing colonization by the Han people and striving for self-determination, freedom and democracy in Southern [Inner] Mongolia." Hada is currently serving the 12th year of his 15-year sentence in Chifeng Prison. He has been subjected to torture and ill-treatment, and his health is reportedly failing. According to the account of a released political prisoner from Chifeng prison interviewed by Human Rights in China (HRIC), Hada has been routinely abused and brutalized as well as subjected to disciplinary punishments. He has been denied the liberties generally afforded to other prisoners as well as proper medical attention and regular contact with his family.

Visit HRIC's Incorporating Responsibility 2008 Olympics Take Action Campaign (http://www.ir2008.org) for more information on these cases and on petitioning.

• Take Action for Hada! (http://www.ir2008.org/04/action.php)

For additional information about Hada, see:

• "About the Individual: Hada", Incorporating Responsibility 2008 Olympics Take Action Campaign, April 1, 2008, http://ir2008.org/04/about.php.
  
  
• "Hada in Prison: A Visitation Report from His Son, Uiles," China Rights Forum, No. 4, 2007, http://hrichina.org/public/PDFs/CRF.4.2007/CRF-2007-4_Hada.pdf.
  
  
• Joint Press Release of HRIC and Minority Rights Group International, "China's Development Strategy Fails to Benefit Critical Ethnic Minorities and Masks Repression," April 25, 2007, http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/36039.
  
  
• Written statement submission to the UN Secretary General by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and its affiliate organization Human Rights in China (HRIC), April 3, 2005, http://ap.ohchr.org/documents/alldocs.aspx?doc_id=10540.
  
  
• "Political Prisoner Hada Suffers Torture in Prison," December 20, 2004, http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/19284.