S. 288: Southern Mongolian Human Rights Policy Act

This bill, titled the Southern Mongolian Human Rights Policy Act, aims to support and promote the human rights of Southern Mongolians living in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The legislation outlines several key components regarding the situation of Southern Mongolians and the U.S. policy response.

Findings

The bill begins by stating that over 6,000,000 ethnic Mongolians reside in China, predominantly in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Despite their significant population, policies have led to a dramatic decrease in the percentage of ethnically Mongolian individuals, adversely affecting their cultural identity. It notes that recent educational policies have replaced the Mongolian language as the primary medium of instruction in schools, which has sparked large protests among students and educators, leading to severe government crackdowns, including arrests and other forms of repression.

Furthermore, the bill highlights the ongoing control of cultural and religious practices in the region by the Chinese government, hindering the Southern Mongolians’ ability to engage in their traditional rituals and maintain their religious practices. It also addresses environmental degradation caused by government policies, which have disrupted traditional pastoral livelihoods and led to significant health problems among the Southern Mongolian population.

Policy Statements

The legislation asserts that it is U.S. policy to:

• Support and promote the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Southern Mongolians, including expression, assembly, and religion.
• Encourage the rights of Southern Mongolians to preserve their cultural and linguistic heritage.
• Press the Chinese government to respect the autonomy promised to Southern Mongolians.

Congressional Sense

The bill expresses the Congress's sense that the U.S. should:

• Support Southern Mongolians in safeguarding their cultural identity.
• Condemn human rights abuses committed against them.
• Work with international partners to advocate for their human rights.
• Ensure that U.S. businesses do not contribute to human rights violations or environmental degradation in the region.

Diplomatic Actions

The legislation proposes establishing an Inner Mongolian team at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing to monitor developments in the region and emphasize hiring Southern Mongolians for these roles. The team would focus on reporting human rights issues and monitoring access for various organizations to areas designated for Mongolians.

Support for Religious Freedom

The U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom is tasked with assessing how restrictions on Tibetan Buddhism by the Chinese government impact practitioners both within and outside of China.

Human Rights Abuses Reporting

The bill requires the President to submit periodic reports identifying individuals responsible for human rights violations against Southern Mongolians. It mandates the imposition of sanctions against those found accountable, utilizing existing human rights accountability frameworks.

Voice of America Broadcasts

Under the bill, Voice of America is directed to establish a service providing programming in the Mongolian language, aimed at audiences in Mongolia, China, and the Russian Federation.

Support for Southern Mongolian Culture

The bill encourages the Smithsonian Institution to fund projects to preserve cultures endangered by repressive Chinese policies. It also suggests grants to help diaspora communities in the U.S. maintain their cultural heritage.

Sustainable Economic Development

Finally, the legislation emphasizes U.S. support for Southern Mongolian autonomy in economic decisions, aiming to help maintain traditional practices and ensure that international projects do not interfere with their cultural heritage or land rights.

Relevant Companies

• BABA (Alibaba Group Holding Limited) - As a major Chinese company, Alibaba's operations may face scrutiny and pressure regarding human rights practices tied to the regional policies discussed in the bill.
• TCEHY (Tencent Holdings Limited) - Tencent, as a leading internet services and gaming company, might be impacted through regulatory evaluations related to their business operations in regions with sensitive human rights issues.