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.

Friday, January 25, 2008

January 25, 2008

Top News of the Day
Human Rights Defenders - Yuan Weijing (袁伟静)
狱中陈光诚吁请关注维权者 律师评陈家人和记者采访无自由 (Authorities Beat German Journalist Attempting to Interview Yuan Weijing)
Radio Free Asia, January 24, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/01/24
/chenguangcheng/

On January 24, 2008, four German journalists attempting to interview Yuan Weijing (袁伟静), wife of jailed weiquan lawyer Chen Guangcheng (陈光诚), were reportedly prevented from doing so by authorities who were keeping Yuan under house arrest. According to Yuan, as the journalists were walking towards her home, the authorities blocked them, attacked them, and threatened to smash them with large stones if they would not leave. The journalists quickly fled the scene, and did not suffer any serious injuries. Yuan had originally planned to visit Chen Guangcheng with her daughter but was intercepted by the authorities.

News
Corruption
简讯: 北京过去5年查办贪污大案270宗 (Beijing Investigated 270 Corruption Cases Involving More than 1 Million Yuan in Last Five Years)
Radio Free Asia, January 24, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2008/01/24/briefing/

Environment
Chemicals Taint Water in China, 26 Ill
YahooNews (Asia), January 24, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080124/ap_on_re_as/chi
na_villagers_poisoned


China Sees Little Optimism in Anti-desert Fight
Reuters, January 24, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSPEK6330

Human Rights Defenders - Hu Jing (胡敬)
重庆维权人士胡敬被从精神病院释放 (Chongqing Rights Defender Hu Jing Released form Psychiatric Hospital)
Radio Free Asia, January 24, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/01/24
/chongqing/


Human Rights Defenders - Xu Yongchun (徐永春)
烟台维权代表徐永春被官员约见后遭暴徒殴打 (Yantai Rights Defender Xu Yongchun Beaten)
Radio Free Asia, January 24, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2008/01/24/china
_rights_assault/


Law
检察院被指越权办案 涉案争议录像拒绝公开 (Zhejiang Procuratorate Accused of Torture, Refuses to Publicly Reveal Videotape at Trial)
Nanfang Weekend, January 24, 2008
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/zm/20080124/xw/2008
01240135.asp


Military
解放军炮九师关押访民 (Petitioners Detained at Jiangsu PLA Facility)
Radio Free Asia, January 24, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/01/24/fangmin/

Olympics
China Lashes Out at Olympic Critics
Reuters, January 24, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080124/ap_on_re_as/chi
na_olympics_criticism;_ylt=AjCt
DfRVoTTwus2cN3ZAPnc
Bxg8F


Poverty
China's Subsistence Allowance System Benefits Urban, Rural Poor Equally
Xinhuanet, January 24, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/24/content_
7489756.htm


Protests and Petitions
Dozens Hold Land Protest in Beijing
YahooNews (Asia), January 24, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080124/ap_on_re_as/chi
na_land_protest;_ylt=Ahlg0ItcMz
vVbhLoJxhe3rgBxg8F

经租房主市政府内遭殴打 王季勇绝食抗议关学法班 (Original Owner of Private Apartments Beaten for Petitioning; Man Starts Hunger Strike in Protest)
Radio Free Asia, January 24, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/01/24
/wang/


Religion
湖北四位家庭教会基督徒被解除劳教 昆明教徒要求复议遭拒绝并被殴打 (Four Hebei Christian Household Church Members Released From RTL; Kunming Christian Beaten, Demand for Administrative Review Denied)
Radio Free Asia, January 24, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/01/24/
laojiao/


Social Security
China's Welfare Spending Jumps by More Than a Third
Xinhuanet, January 24, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/24/content_
7490719.htm