Southern Mongolian Human Rights Information Center

On December 9, 2014, the eve of the International Human Rights Day, long-imprisoned Southern (Inner) Mongolian political prisoner Mr. Hada, 59 years old, was allowed to meet with his wife Xinna, son Uiles, brother Yushan and sister Yuyue in an apartment reportedly owned by the Inner Mongolian Public Security Bureau.

Hada was transferred to this residential-like yet heavily guarded apartment on November 17, 2014 from the “black jail” in suburban Hohhot where he was placed under extrajudicial detention for four years after completing his 15 year jail term on December 10, 2010.

After many failed attempts, the Southern Mongolian Human Rights Information Center (SMHRIC) was able to have a brief Skype video interview with Hada last night. The interview lasted only 15 seconds before the communication line was cut apparently by the Chinese authorities. All subsequent phone calls to Xinna, Uiles, Yushan and Yuyue and Skype video calls have been blocked.

During the brief video conversation, Hada told SMHRIC that he was allowed to have a medical examination and was diagnosed with more than 10 different health problems which as he stated were all caused by the inhumane treatment and conditions of the 19-year imprisonment. He also told SMHRIC that he is currently confined to the fifth floor apartment in a residential complex that has been heavily guarded around the clock by security personnel.

In sporadic written communications, Xinna stated that Hada and family members have never admitted to any "wrongdoing" or "crime" and are determined to file legal cases against those who were responsible for the unjust trial, illegal imprisonment and extrajudicial detention of Hada and his family members. Xinna also revealed that after some phone interviews with overseas news media, Hada’s brother Yushan and sister Yuyue were warned not to accept any requests for phone interviews.

In the latest text message SMHRIC received around 11:00 PM Eastern Standard Time today, Xinna confirmed that cable internet and wireless network connections have been completely cut in Hada’s residence and surrounding areas. The same State Security personnel who guarded Hada in the “black jail” are reportedly following Xinna and Uiles.

“On the International Human Rights Day today, we are still having difficulty defending our right to communication and right to receive interviews,” Xinna said in the last statement.

Southern Mongolian exiles and their supporters still staged protests in front of Chinese embassies and consulates in their respective countries today to urge the Chinese Government to free Hada and his family members. Southern Mongolian communities around the world still do not believe that Hada is truly "freed". Rather they consider this as another form of house arrest or the so-called "residential surveillance" under which Hada has no freedom of movement or assembly, no freedom of communication and no freedom of speech and expression. Although brief and sporadic meetings with family members and relatives are allowed under tight surveillance, no true family reunion has yet taken place in their own home.