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, November 12, 2007

November 13, 2007

Top News of the Day
Olympics
Media Muzzled on Olympics Coverage
South China Morning Post, November 13, 2007
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ec
b329d3d7733492d9253a0a0
a0/?vgnextoid=2f611379b2
436110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=China&s=News

In the week of November 4 the Central Publicity Department reportedly issued a notice ordering China’s editors to steer clear of Olympic-related story ideas that would show the country in a bad light. These story ideas would include food safety and air quality. Shao Shiwei, the deputy chief of the publicity department of the Beijing Committee of the Olympic Game, also reportedly said in a national forum of evening newspaper publishers in September that the press should “be more careful” in their Olympics coverage to safeguard China’s image.

News
Environment

China Pandas Forced to Migrate for Food
Associated Press (via YahooNews), November 12, 2007
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071112/ap_on_re_as/china
_pandas_4;_ylt=Aj9pE9pPOm9VngCST6C4ln1PzWQA
m9Vn
gCST6C4ln1PzWQA


Food Security
Six Chinese Reportedly Die After Eating Poison Soup
Reuters (via YahooNews), November 12, 2007
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071112/wl_nm/china_poi
soning_dc_2;_ylt=AsyRLsp91mWqcdiemi36eENPzWQA
m
Wqcdiemi36eENPzWQA


Human Rights Defender - Runggye Adak
In Brief: Tibetan Convicted over Calling for the Dalai Lama's Return
Associated Press (via YahooNews), November 13, 2007
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62e
cb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=20611379b24
36110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=China&s=News


Human Rights Defender - Guo Feixiong (郭飞雄)
郭飞雄案拟14日开庭宣判 律师希望排除案外因素公正判决 (Guangzhou Court to Deliver Verdict on Guo Feixiong's Case; Lawyers Call for Independent Decision)
Radio Free Asia, November 12, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2007/11/12/Guo
_feixiong/


Human Rights Defender – Liu Jie (刘杰)
17大万人上书代表刘杰被刑拘 (Heilongjiang Petitioner Placed Under Criminal Detention for a Month for Launching Open Letter Calling for Justice for Petitioners)
Radio Free Asia, November 12, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2007/11/12/
liujie/


Human Rights Defender - Hu Jia (胡佳)
胡佳探望临产的妻子遭国保殴打 (Hu Jia Beaten for Visiting Pregnant Wife)
Radio Free Asia, November 12, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2007/11/12/china_
rights_assault/




Related Information
HRIC Statement: Human Rights in China condemns attack on Hu Jia
Human Rights in China, November 12, 2007
http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/item?item_id=45528


June 4th
Tiananmen Activist Freed from Jail
Agence France-Presse (via YahooNews), November 13, 2007
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ec
b329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=cf711379b243
6110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=China&s=News


Labor
Life on the Dark Side
Associated Press (via South China Morning Post), November 13, 2007
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb
329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=5e7e1379b243
6110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=China&s=News


Media
China Under Fire at WTO for Restrictions on Foreign Media
Agence France-Presse (via YahooNews), November 13, 2007
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/afp/20071112/tbs-wto-china-med
ia-industry-trade-ec2362a.html
ec2362a.html

Chinese TV Artists Urged to Promote Advanced Culture
Xinhuanet, November 12, 2007
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-11/12/content_
7059204.htm


Olympics
China Tracks Summer Olympics Journalists
Associated Press (via YahooNews), November 12, 2007
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071112/ap_on_re_as/china
_reporter_database_1;_ylt=Al7M6tOT4nKDVB.2sfKidRpPz
WQA
7M6tOT4nKDVB.2sfKidRpPzWQA

Protests and Petitions
Shanxi Miners Set to Fight Layoffs
South China Morning Post, November 13, 2007
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ec
b329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=b7231379b24
36110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=China&s=News


湖南教师上访代表被已被拘三月 (Representative of Petitioning Hunan Teachers Detained for 3 Months)
Radio Free Asia, November 12, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2007/11/12/china_
petition_teachers/


Public Health
In Modern China, Eye on Mental Health
Christian Science Monitor, November 13, 2007
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1113/p06s01-woap.html

Rules Relaxed for HIV Carriers
South China Morning Post, November 13, 2007
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62e
cb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=1bd21379b24
36110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=China&s=News


Society - Ethnic Minorities
Equality Denied
South China Morning Post, November 13, 2007
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62e
cb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=efce1379b24
36110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=China&s=News

November 10-12, 2007

Top News of the Day
Xinjiang

Uygurs Sentenced to Death over Terrorism
South China Morning Post, November 12, 2007
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=bc2fd5df80f26110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD
Six Uyghurs arrested during a raid at a training camp in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region on January 5, 2007 were sentenced by a Kashgar court on November 10, 2007. Three received death sentences, two death with a two-year suspension and one life imprisonment under charges of separatism, organizing and leading a terrorist organization and manufacturing explosives. The government mouthpiece Xinhua reported that they set up a terrorist organization known as the East Turkestan Islamic Party and believe that the group has links to al-Qaeda and overseas terrorist groups. Critics believe that these are excuses to crack down on the pro-independence movement among Uyghurs.

News
Education
China to Exempt All Urban Students from Compulsory Education Fees
Xinhuanet, November 10, 2007
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-11/10/content_7044298.htm

Environment
China Sets up Fund Aimed at Reducing Greenhouse Gases
Agence France-Presse (via YahooNews), November 09, 2007
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071109/sc_afp/chinaenvironmentclimatewarmingfund_071109150747

Government
陕西一民政干部跨县抛弃乞丐致其死亡被起诉 (Shaanxi Civil Affairs Cardre Prosecuted for Negligence over Death of Beggar)
Xinhuanet, November 11, 2007
http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2007-11/11/content_7048754.htm

Human Rights Defenders - Hu Jia (胡佳)
国保试图阻拦胡佳看望住院的妻子 (State Security Guards Bar Hu Jia from Visiting His Hospitalized Wife)
Radio Free Asia, November 10, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2007/11/10/xinwen/

June 4th
成都六四受难者母亲唐德英遭到警方监控 (Chengdu Police Put Mother of a June 4th Victim Under Surveillance)
Radio Free Asia, November 10, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2007/11/10/xinwen/

六四伤残者齐志勇被再次非法限制出境 (June 4th Victim Qi Zhiyong Prohibited from Leaving China)
Radio Free Asia, November 09, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2007/11/09/xinwen/

Labor
China's Toy Firms Under Scrutiny
BBC World Service, November 11, 2007
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7086958.stm

ACFTU: Huawei Agrees to Suspend Controversial Employment Scheme After Union Talks
Xinhuanet, November 10, 2007
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-11/10/content_7047070.htm

China Coal Mine Death Toll Rises to 35
Agence France-Presse (via YahooNews), November 10, 2007
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071111/wl_asia_afp/chinaminingaccident_071111044705

Law
成都检方联合九部门建救助机制 救助刑事受害人 (Chengdu Launches Assistance Scheme for Victims of Criminal Cases)
Legal Daily, November 12, 2007
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/0705/2007-11/12/content_737179.htm

Media
Crackdown on Bogus Reporters
Xinhuanet, November 12, 2007
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-11/12/content_7055146.htm

Officials Shut down HK-linked Newspaper
South China Morning Post, November 12, 2007
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=4b91d5df80f26110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Military
China's PLA Prevents Illegal Recruitment And Ineligible Recruits
Xinhuanet, November 12, 2007
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-11/11/content_7051983.htm

Olympics
Report: China Issues Broad Olympic Ban
Associated Press (via YahooNews), November 09, 2007
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071109/ap_on_re_as/china_olympic_ban_1

Protests and Petitions
城管公安打死小贩 上万人围困镇政府 (10,000 Villagers Surround Government Building over Death of a Hawker)
Radio Free Asia, November 11, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2007/11/11/xinwen/

重庆上百集体所有制职工要求退休福利 (Over 100 Chongqing Retired Workers Sign Open Letter Urging Better Benefits)
Radio Free Asia, November 10, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2007/11/10/xinwen/

广东潮州四千多村民阻工维护土地权益 (4,000 Chaozhou Villagers Block Electric Cable Construction Site over Disputed Compensation)
Radio Free Asia, November 09, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2007/11/09/china_rights_land/

温江失地农民和防暴警察发生流血冲突 (Chengdu Farmers Clash with Police over Land Grab)
Radio Free Asia, November 09, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2007/11/09/china_land_clash/

湖北英山垃圾场污染引起群体性事件 (Hubei Garbage Dump Pollution Sets off Mass Incident)
Radio Free Asia, November 09, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2007/11/09/hubei/

湖南6名访民被以“聚众扰乱社会治安”罪名拘押 (Six Hunan Petitioners Detained for "Gathering a Crowd to Disturb Social Order")
Radio Free Asia, November 09, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2007/11/09/fangmin/

上海两名访民控诉当局非法拘禁 (Two Shanghai Petitioners Detained Illegally)
Radio Free Asia, November 09, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2007/11/09/china_petition_shanghai/

Related information:
Detained Petitioners Finally Released After Close of Party Congress, Special Olympics
Human Rights in China Press Release, November 08, 2007
http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/45493

Public Health
截至9月30日全国参加新型农村合作医疗人口7.26亿 (726 Million Residents Covered Under New Rural Health Insurance Scheme)
Xinhuanet, November 12, 2007
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2007-11/12/content_7055266.htm

截至9月底开展新型农村合作医疗的县市区达2448个 (2448 Counties, Cities and Districts Implemented New Rural Cooperation on Health Insurance)
Xinhuanet, November 12, 2007
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2007-11/12/content_7055226.htm

9套医改方案仍悬而未决 政府主导趋势已经明朗化 (Healthcare Reform to Become Government-Led)
Legal Daily, November 12, 2007
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/0705/2007-11/12/content_737823.htm

Aids Threat Spreading: Official
South China Morning Post, November 12, 2007
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=4aa1d5df80f26110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Tainted-toy Factory Still Making Other Products
South China Morning Post, November 12, 2007
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=a81fd5df80f26110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

State Security
Crush Leads to New Rules
South China Morning Post, November 12, 2007
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=b95fd5df80f26110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD