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, May 18, 2006

May 18, 2006

Top News of the Day

Human Rights Defenders – Petitioner Huang Weizhong (黄维忠)
土地维权活动代表黄维忠被判刑3(Land Rights Activist Huang Weizhong Sentenced to 3 Years’ Imprisonment for Organizing Petitions Against Land Grabs)
Radio Free Asia, May 17, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2006/05/17/
weiquan/

Huang Weizhong (黄维忠), a villager from Fujian Province, has been convicted of 'disturbing public order' by a local court for a petition attempt in Beijing on behalf of thousands of villagers in his locality. The petition was in protest against an illegal land grab by the local government. He was sent back to Fujian and later charged by the public security bureau. Huang has decided to file an appeal.


News


Civil Society - NGOs
民间关注疾病组织京开会 (Nationwide AIDS and Other NGOs Participate in NGO Conference in Beijing)
Ming Pao, May 18, 2006
http://www.mingpaonews.com/20060518/cad1.htm

Death Penalty
为独霸考研市场老总雇凶杀人获死刑 (Multimillionaire Sentenced to Death for Killing Business Rival)
Legal Daily, May 18, 2006
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2006-05/18/content_
317015.htm


6年索回扣千余万 京城商业贿赂第一贪被判死刑 (State Bank Official Sentenced to Death for Corruption)
Xinhuanet, May 18, 2006
http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2006-05/18/content_
4564633.htm


Human Rights
郭飞雄李柏光谈言论宗教自由法制 (Dissident Lawyers Share Views on Religious Rights and Freedom of Speech in China's Legal Context)
Voice of America, May 18, 2006
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2006-05-17-voa55.cfm

Human Rights Defenders - Rights Defender Chen Guangcheng (陈光诚)
人权组织呼吁当局还陈光诚公正自由 (Rights Group Urges Shandong Authorities to Free Blind Activist Chen Guangcheng)
Radio Free Asia, May 17, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2006/05/17/
chenguangcheng/


June 4th
六四将至异议人士被告莫乱说乱动 (Dissidents 'Advised' Not to Make Reckless Move as June 4th Anniversary Approaches)
Voice of America, May 18, 2006
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2006-05-17-voa37.cfm

Law - Legal Reform
依法进行独立审判 陕西法院判案不再请示上级 (Lower Courts No Longer Required to Ask for Higher Courts' Instruction on Verdict, Shaanxi People's Supreme Court Announces)
Xinhuanet, May 18, 2006
http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2006-05/18/content_
4564590.htm

Politics
胡耀邦纪念网站开通 (Website Launched to Commemorate Late Leader Hu Yaobang)
Dajiyuan.com, May 18, 2006
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/6/5/18/n1322041.htm

中国政府强迫让公众淡忘文革历史 (Chinese Government Uses Coercion to Prevent Media and Public from Reflecting on History of Cultural Revolution)
Voice of America, May 17, 2006
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2006-05-17-voa46.cfm

Poverty
Poverty Reduction a Harder Job
Xinhuanet, May 18, 2006
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-05/18/content_
4564898.htm


Protests and Petitions
维权律师被套紧箍咒,业界新规限制受理徵地拆迁案件 (Lawyers Required to Report on Land Grab Cases Taken Up, According to Newly Issued Guidelines)
Ming Pao, May 18, 2006
http://www.mingpaonews.com/20060518/caa1h.htm


Protests and Petitions - Resettlement
'Sent Down' Shanghai Residents Protest for Medical, Pension Benefits
SCMP, May 18, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ1L4EQ3ME.html

State Security - State Secrets
中国外交档案七年解密 解密率达60% (Declassifying of Diplomatic Files in Progress, Over 60% of Old Diplomatic Materials to Be Made Public Soon)
EastDay.com, May 18, 2006
http://news.eastday.com/eastday/node81741/node81762/
node135556/userobject1ai2044536.html
4536.html