Mongolia annually observes a day of remembrance on September 10 for the country’s victims of political persecution.

Political persecution was at its height from 1937 to 1939, when 37,000 citizens were persecuted, including 21,000 who were murdered. Additionally, 17,000 Buddhist monks were murdered from 1932 to 1937, and temples, rare religious icons, prayer books, and other religious artifacts were destroyed.

On September 10, President Ts.Elbegdorj, Prime Minister S.Batbold, DP Secretary General D.Erdenebat, and other officials paid their respects at a statue memorializing the victims.

The youngest victims of the persecution are now in their 70s. It is believed that 88 of them are still alive. They say the persecution not only affected them and their parents, but the generations that followed as well.