The HRIC Daily Brief is a daily selection of news stories and commentary related to human rights in China, drawn from Chinese- and English-language news and online media sources that we monitor daily. In addition to headlines and source links, HRIC also provides English translation of Chinese headlines.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

November 20, 2008

News

Death Penalty
罪大恶极不容轻判 甘肃罕见暴力犯罪案6罪犯判死刑 (6 Dealt Death Sentences for Gansu Riots)
Xinhuanet, November 20, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2008-11/19/content_10381555.htm

Related News
Gansu Protest Prompts Arrests
Radio Free Asia, November 19, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/gansu-11192008130846.html

Environment
China's Environmental Retreat
Washington Post, November 19, 2008
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/18/AR2008111803625.html

Food Security
FDA Opens Office in China
International Herald Tribune, November 19, 2008
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/11/19/asia/beijing.php

Freedom of Association
China Probes Opposition Party
Radio Free Asia, November 19, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/opposition-11192008111353.html

Labor
甘肃省一天之内发生3起矿难 5人死亡 (3 Mine Accidents in One Day Leave 5 Dead)
EastDay.com, November 20, 2008
http://news.eastday.com/c/20081120/u1a3993720.html

应对当前形势 人保部推出稳定劳动关系十措施 (Government Enacts Ten Measures to Stabilize Labor Relations)
EastDay.com, November 20, 2008
http://news.eastday.com/c/20081120/u1a3994808.html

China to Close 6,000 Coal Mines in Safety Push
The Guardian, November 19, 2008
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/nov/19/china-coal

Government Reacts to Return of Rural Migrants
China Daily, November 19, 2008
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-11/19/content_7219957.htm

Law
China Launches Campaign to Clear Out Unexecuted Court Cases
Xinhuanet, November 19, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-11/19/content_10383230.htm

Media
China Abandons Blanket Press Censorship
Telegraph.co.uk, November 19, 2008
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/3482565/China-abandons-blanket-
press-censorship.html

For its Online Critics, China Adapts Response
International Herald Tribune, November 18, 2008
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/11/18/asia/letter.php

Police
Police Arrests Highlight Anger with Force in China
Associated Press (available at YahooNews), November 19, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081119/ap_on_re_as/as_china_police_arrested

Poverty
Beijing Makes Effort to Help Homeless People
Shanghai Daily, November 20, 2008
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2008/200811/20081120/article_381359.htm

Protests and Petitions
湖南新化千名教师连续两天大规模抗议 (A Thousand Teachers Protest in Hunan)
Radio Free Asia, November 20, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/jiaoshi-11192008160735.html

Nearly 400 Petitioners Gather at Beijing Government
Shanghai Daily, November 20, 2008
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2008/200811/20081120/article_381357.htm

武漢4百人強拆違章建築 (400 in Wuhan Protest Substandard Buildings)
Ming Pao, November 20, 2008
http://www.mpinews.com/htm/INews/20081120/ca40821k.htm

Rural Issues
China Vows to Protect Farmers from Malpractice in Farmland Transfers
Xinhuanet, November 19, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-11/19/content_10383505.htm

Society
北京将修缮二环以内两万户旧城居民住房 (Beijing to Renovate 20,000 Historic Homes within Second Ring Road)
EastDay.com, November 20, 2008
http://news.eastday.com/c/20081120/u1a3993691.html

XUAR
The Dead Tell a Tale that China Doesn't Care to Hear
International Herald Tribune, November 19, 2008
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/11/19/asia/mummies.php