Incorporating Responsibility 2008

Recent Update: 2011/07/11: Hada update; 2011/10/31: Chen Guangcheng update

[Human Rights and the Olympics: What you can do!]

Take Action for Hada

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Send appeals to the Chinese authorities

Sample letter to Hu Jintao urging Hada's release:

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President Hu Jintao
President of the People's Republic of China
Yongdingmenjie, Beijing 100032
People's Republic of China

Your Excellency,

I am writing to express my grave concern regarding the imprisonment of Mongol cultural rights activist Hada, who is currently serving 15 years for "incitement of subversion" and "espionage." I believe that Hada is in prison solely as a result of his advocacy protecting the rights of the Mongol ethnic minority in China. His imprisonment is in violation of China's international human rights obligations, and I urge his immediate release.

Hada's sentence is an indication that ethnic minorities are not able to exercise their rights through legal means, despite the autonomy system. Hada co-founded the Southern Mongolian Democratic Alliance (SMDA) in order to promote the lawful rights and interests of ethnic Mongolians. Hada also sought to preserve Mongol cultural identity by establishing a Mongolian language bookstore.

Hada's ill-treatment and torture in prison have been documented by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. I believe that Hada's abusive treatment in prison and the excessively long sentence for activities that are constitutionally protected reflects the discriminatory practices facing ethnic minorities when they attempt to constructively participate in the political process.

I therefore urge the PRC to immediately and unconditionally release Hada and other ethnic minorities imprisoned for the legitimate exercise of their right to freedom of expression and association.

Sincerely,
[your name]

Sample letter to Prison Director:

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Head of Chifeng Prison
Inner Mongolia Prison No. 4 (Chifeng)
Chifeng, Inner Mongolia 024005
People's Republic of China

Dear Prison Director,

I am writing to express my grave concern regarding the imprisonment and ill-treatment of Mongolian cultural rights activist Hada, who is currently serving 15 years in your prison for "incitement of subversion" and "espionage." I believe that Hada's detention results from the legitimate exercise of his right to freedom of expression and association, and that he should therefore be released.

Hada reportedly is in poor health and has been tortured while at your prison. Hada has been routinely abused and subjected to disciplinary punishments that range from solitary confinement to being chained onto a metal "shackle board"-a bare metal plank equipped with handcuffs at each corner. Prison officials have reportedly twice threatened his life by holding a gun to his head and have shocked him using electric rods.

Hada has also been denied the liberties generally afforded to other prisoners in Chifeng Prison. The UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders, together with the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture, have noted that Hada has been denied proper medical attention and regular contact with his family. I believe that Hada's appalling treatment contradicts Chinese laws that prohibit torture and abuse, as well as the rules and standards of your own prison system as outlined in your website: http://www.chifeng.gov.cn/4/open.htm.

I therefore urge you to ensure that Hada is given immediate and appropriate medical treatment for his deteriorating health, and that he and all others in your facility are treated in a humane manner consistent with the PRC Prison Law and numerous international standards.

Sincerely,
[your name]

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Publish or Blog for Hada

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