U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Chris Smith have nominated Southern Mongolian rights advocate Hada for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, recognizing his decades-long struggle for the rights and freedoms of the Mongolian people in Southern Mongolia, known as “Inner Mongolia”.
Hada has faced severe persecution for his peaceful advocacy. In 1995, Chinese authorities sentenced him to 15 years in prison on charges of “separatism” and “espionage.” Even after serving his full sentence, authorities continued to detain him without legal basis for four more years. In 2014, in extremely poor health, he was transferred to indefinite secret detention. In addition to Hada’s suffering, Chinese authorities also detained, imprisoned and surveilled his wife and son, attempting to silence his family’s calls for justice.
Hada was nominated alongside other prominent human rights defenders: Ilham Tohti, a Uyghur scholar imprisoned for advocating interethnic dialogue; Wang Yi, a Christian pastor detained for defending religious freedom; Sophia Huang Xueqin, a journalist and women’s rights advocate; and Jimmy Lai, a Hong Kong media entrepreneur and democracy activist.
In their nomination letter, Merkley and Smith emphasized the importance of honoring these individuals for their peaceful advocacy despite immense personal sacrifice:
“We hope that the Nobel Committee will continue to shine a light on those struggling for peace and human rights in China, and we believe Ilham Tohti, Hada, Wang Yi, Huang Xueqin, and Jimmy Lai are deserving of recognition this year.”
“I will always support human rights activists defending their fundamental freedoms. Hada — who is unjustly detained by the Chinese government for advocating on behalf of ethnic Mongolians — is a worthy candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize. I nominated him to send a clear message: Humanity stands firm with those who resist these injustices,” Senator Merkley said, explaining his nomination.
Welcoming the nomination, Enghebatu Togochog, Director of the Southern Mongolian Human Rights Information Center (SMHRIC), praised Hada’s courage and unwavering commitment:
“For decades, Hada has been a symbol of resistance against oppression and a relentless advocate for the rights of the Southern Mongolian people. His sacrifices and suffering epitomize the struggle for freedom, dignity, and cultural survival. This nomination is a recognition not only of his individual bravery but also of the broader fight of Southern Mongolians against injustice.”
Senator Jeff Merkley, a longtime champion of human rights in China, also introduced the Southern Mongolian Human Rights Policy Act to the U.S. Senate, with Senator Dan Sullivan as a co-sponsor. This legislation underscores their commitment to advocating for the rights of the Southern Mongolians facing persecution under Chinese rule.
Separately, four Japanese parliament members have also nominated Hada for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, further highlighting international recognition of his decades-long struggle for Southern Mongolian human rights and freedom.
SMHRIC
Southern Mongolian Human Rights Information Center (SMHRIC)
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