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.

Monday, October 29, 2007

October 27 – 29, 2007

News
Death Penalty

云南昆明:一疯狂运毒3万余克男子被判处死刑 (Yunnan Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Death)
Xinhuanet, October 28, 2007
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2007-10/28/conten
t_6958271.htm


Environment
China Plans Cleanup for Polluted Lake Tai
Associated Press (via Wall Street Journal), October 29, 2007
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119360749278174166.html
?mod=hps_asia_whats_news


China Incorporates Energy-Saving Efforts into Performance Rating of Officials
Xinhuanet, October 28, 2007
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-10/28/content_
6966447.htm


Government
Taste of Democracy in the Course of Village Life
The Sydney Morning Herald, October 29, 2007
http://www.smh.com.au/news/business/taste-of-democracy-
in-the-course-of-village-life/2007/10/28/1193555533078.ht
ml?page=fullpage#contentSwap1
life/2007/10/28/119355553
3078.html?page=fullpage - contentSwap1


Human Rights Defender – Ngawang Phulchung
简要新闻:坐牢十八年 西藏著名政治犯阿旺普琼获释 (In Brief: Tibetan Political Prisoner Ngawang Phulchung Released After 18 Years' Imprisonment)
Radio Free Asia, October 26, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2007/10/26/xinwen/#5

Human Rights Defenders
数名在17大前被捕的维权人士和访民陆续获释 (Internet Activist and Rights Defender Released After CPC Meeting)
Radio Free Asia, October 26, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2007/10/26/china_
rights_detain/


June 4th
六四「黑手」包遵信病逝 ("Mastermind" of June 4th Passes Away)
Ming Pao, October 29, 2007
http://www.mingpaonews.com/20071029/cad1.htm

Law
中国修法限制律师辩护言论 (Amended Law Punishes Lawyers for Remarks Made in Court That Threatens National Security)
Radio Free Asia, October 28, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2007/10/28/fa/

China Amends Law to Make Life Easier for Lawyers
Xinhuanet, October 28, 2007
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-10/28/content_
6966548.htm


Top legislature Approves Minister Nomination, Adopts Four Law Bills
Xinhuanet, October 28, 2007
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-10/28/content_
6966839.htm


Media
山东警方超期拘押记者齐崇淮 (Shandong Journalist Placed Under Prolonged Detention)
Radio Free Asia, October 26, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2007/10/26/qi/

Are China's Former Underground Directors Choosing Recognition over Artistic Freedom?
Associated Press (via International Herald Tribune), October 25, 2007
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/26/asia/AS-FEA
-A-E-MOV-China-Underground-Directors.php
Directors.php

Migrant Workers
中国第一家维护农民工权益的民间机构成立 (Beijing Lawyers Establish China's First Social Organization on Migrant Workers' Rights)
Radio Free Asia, October 26, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2007/10/26/labor/

Olympics
专家称美国市场上的中国玩具来自血汗工厂 (Expert Says Sponsor of Beijing Olympics Exploits Workers)
Radio Free Asia, October 26, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2007/10/26/
sweatshop/


Protests and Petitions
鸡西市政府设立“黑监狱”关押访民 (Petitioners Sent to Secret Detention Center in Jixi, Heilongjiang)
Radio Free Asia, October 26, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2007/10/26/china_
petition_detain/


Three Injured, Four Detained in China Clash
Radio Free Asia, October 26, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/social/2007/10/26/china_
clash/


Public Health
新生儿出生缺陷山西最高 (Highest Birth Defect Rate Found in Shanxi Province)
The Beijing News, October 29, 2007
http://www.thebeijingnews.com/news/guonei/2007/10-29/
011@080443.htm


Rural Issues
Drought Amid Plenty for Rural Financing
South China Morning Post, October 29, 2007
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ec
b329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=8b8f73c1be
6e5110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=China&s=News


Tibet
Letter from China: Separating Fact from Image on Tibet
International Herald Tribune, October 29, 2007
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/10/26/asia/letter.php