September 10 marks the Day of Tribute to the Victims of Political Repression, a solemn occasion dedicated to honoring the memory of thousands who lost their lives during one of the darkest chapters in Mongolia’s modern history.

As part of the day, families of the victims, alongside members of parliament, gathered at the Monument for the Victims to lay wreaths and flowers in tribute. It served not only as a remembrance of those who perished but also as a reminder of the profound lessons history must impart to future generations.

Between 1937 and 1939, Mongolia endured a devastating wave of political persecution, orchestrated under the influence of Stalinist purges sweeping across the Soviet Union. The repression engulfed every stratum of society, branding thousands of innocent citizens as enemies of the state. Historians estimate that around 30,000 people were executed during this period.

Archival records reveal that 31,652 individuals were persecuted in total, of whom 18,775 were Buddhist monks and clergy. Among the victims, 13,827 were sentenced to death by execution, 4,039 were given prison sentences, and at least 909 perished under other tragic circumstances—including imprisonment, disappearance, or death in custody.

The cultural toll was equally catastrophic: more than 1,250 monasteries, temples, and religious monuments—the spiritual and cultural heart of Mongolian society—were destroyed, severing centuries-old traditions and silencing the voices of spiritual leaders.

The National Day of Remembrance underscores the enduring grief of families who lost their loved ones, while also paying respect to the innocent lives cut short by political violence. Above all, it calls on Mongolians to preserve the memory of this tragedy and ensure that such injustices are never repeated.