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.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

December 12, 2007

Top News of the Day
Human Rights Defender - Gong Haoming (龚浩明)

简要新闻∶上海维权人士龚浩明得以取保候审回家 (In Brief: Shanghai Rights Defender Gong Haoming Released)
Radio Free Asia, December 11, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2007/12/11/xinwen/ - 8
Hu Jia (胡佳) reportedly said that Shanghai petitioner Gong Haoming (龚浩明) was released pending investigation and trial on December 8. Hu believed it is rare that Shanghai police would release “serious criminals” like Gong. Gong was detained on November 8, 2007 under suspicion of “leaking state secrets.” He participated in the open letter campaign called “We want human rights, not the Olympics” in May.

Related Information
HRIC Case Update: Petitioner Gong Haoming Released Pending Investigation and Trial
Human Rights in China, December 10, 2007
http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/45790

News
Civil Society

贵州维权人士举办人权研讨会遭当局多方骚扰 (Guizhou Human Rights Conference Closely Monitored; Participants Harassed)
Radio Free Asia, December 11, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2007/12/11/china_rights_assault/

Related Information
HRIC Case Update: Buddhist Monk Shengguan Prevented from Attending Human Rights Conference
Human Rights in China, December 10, 2007
http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/45802

Death Penalty
北京:兄弟二人杀人袭警被执行死刑 (Beijing Brothers Executed on Murder Charges)
The Beijing News (via Xinhua), December 12, 2007
http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2007-12/12/content_7233095.htm

情侣被杀案宣判 (Beijing Man Sentenced to Death for Murdering Couple in Robbery)
The Beijing News, December 12, 2007
http://www.thebeijingnews.com/news/beijing/2007/12-12/021@074706.htm

西宁首次采用注射方式对4名死刑犯执行死刑 (Four Convicts Executed by Lethal Injection in Xining, Qinghai)
Xinhuanet, December 11, 2007
http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2007-12/11/content_7228813.htm

河南焦作一村委会主任枪杀六人被判死刑 (Henan's Local Cadre Sentenced to Death for Shooting 6 People)
Xinhuanet, December 11, 2007
http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2007-12/11/content_7230331.htm

Food Security
China Grants U.S. Expanded Role in Inspecting Foods
International Herald Tribune, December 11, 2007
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/12/11/business/trade.php

Gender
Senior Legislator Urges Federation to Better Protect Rights of Women, Children
Xinhuanet, December 11, 2007
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-12/11/content_7231051.htm

Human Rights Defender - Li Hong (力虹)
异议作家力虹狱中病情恶化 家人要求保外就医 (Dissident Writer Li Hong's Health Deteriorates; Family Demands Medical Parole)
Radio Free Asia, December 11, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2007/12/11/lihong/

Human Rights Defender - Li Xige (李喜阁)
简要新闻∶李喜阁被扣押阻挠未能参加艾滋工作培训 (In Brief: Henan AIDS Patient Li Xige Barred from Anti-Discrimination Training in Beijing)
Radio Free Asia, December 11, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2007/12/11/xinwen/ - 3

Human Rights Defender - Gao Zhisheng (高智晟)
人权日近百人前往中国驻旧金山领事馆示威要求释放高智晟 (One Hundred People Demand Release of Gao Zhisheng at Chinese Consulate in US)
Radio Free Asia, December 11, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2007/12/11/gao/

Human Rights Defender
四川上千职工举报改制黑幕 维权代表遭政府扣押暴徒殴打 (Sichuan Rights Defender Beaten by Thugs After Reporting Corruption)
Radio Free Asia, December 11, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2007/12/11/505/

Land Policy
Kaiping Officials May Face Discipline over Land-Use Deals
South China Morning Post, December 12, 2007
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=d3e2ea06489c6110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Olympics
Writers Urge Olympic Clemency
South China Morning Post, December 12, 2007
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=3f71ea06489c6110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

国奥会报告仍关注北京空气污染 (International Olympic Committee Remains Concerned About Beijing's Air Pollution)
BBC, December 11, 2007
http://news.bbc.co.uk/chinese/trad/hi/newsid_7130000/newsid_7139600/7139671.stm

Politics
Beijing Municipal Legislators Get More Money for Making Rounds
Xinhuanet, December 11, 2007
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-12/11/content_7229863.htm

Protests and Petitions
Sinopec Workers Stage Pay Protest at China Plant
Reuters, December 11, 2007
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSPEK6549120071211

Religion
山东临沂一基督教家庭教会270名教友被捕 (Police Arrest 270 Protestant House Church Members in Linyi, Shandong)
Radio Free Asia, December 11, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2007/12/11/china_religion_christian/

Three Gorges
三峽工程 肥了企业 苦了农民 (Three Gorges Project Benefits Enterprises, Harms Farmers)
Ming Pao, December 12, 2007
http://www.mingpaonews.com/20071212/cca1h.htm

Tibet
China Says Dalai Wants Feudal Tibet
Associated Press (via YahooNews), December 11, 2007
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071211/ap_on_re_as/china_tibet_1