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, March 17, 2008

March 15-17, 2008

Top News of the Day
Tibet

Dalai Lama Fears 'Cultural Genocide' in Tibet
Vancouver Sun, March 16, 2008
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=4fe8392c-8cdf-4863-b44c-fe1672abc8e7&k=51713
Calm has been seemingly restored in Tibet as the Chinese military and police forces have quelled the protests. The Dalai Lama has called for an international investigation into the crackdown on the protests, saying that a "cultural genocide" is occurring, regardless of intention. According to reports, the Chinese media are depicting the protests as the direct result of the Dalai Lama's influence, naming him the cause of the violent demonstrations.

Related information:
HRIC Statement: Stop Crackdowns in Tibet, Start Dialogue
March 14, 2008
http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/47798


News
Bilateral Ties
Call for China Restraint over Tibet Protesters
Reuters, March 15, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUST30780920080315

Corporate Social Accountability
Nike Reports Problems at China Factories
Reuters, March 14, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNews/idUSHKG26912020080314

Government
广东江门村民不满基层选举作弊 (Jiangmin, Guangdong Villagers Angry at Corruption in Grassroots Elections)
Radio Free Asia, March 16, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/03/16/xuan/

Human Rights Defenders
一批贵州人权活动人士发表致中共中央领导联署公开信 (Guizhou Human Rights Defenders Issue Open Letter to CPPCC Leadership)
Radio Free Asia, March 16, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/03/16/weiquan/

Human Rights Defender - Hu Jia (胡佳)
律师表示正在争取曾金燕获准旁听胡佳案 (Lawyers Trying to Obtain Permission for Zeng Jinyan to Attend Hu Jia's Trial)
Radio Free Asia, March 14, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2008/03/14/china_rights_hujia

Human Rights Defender - Liu Jie (刘杰)
黑龙江访民刘杰家人指责监狱侵犯通讯自由 (Family of Liu Jie Criticizes Violations of Free Communication by the Prison)
Radio Free Asia, March 14, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2008/03/14/china_rights_jail/

Human Rights Defender - Xu Xiang (徐祥)
中国网络维权人士徐祥起诉长沙公安局 (Online Rights Defender Xu Xiang Sues Changsha Police)
Radio Free Asia, March 14, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/03/14/xu/

Human Rights Defender - Zhang Zilin (张子霖)
张子霖案的律师已提出上诉 泛蓝将示威抗议声援张子霖 (Zhang Zilin's Lawyer Raises Appeal; Pan-Blue Alliance to March in Support of Zhang)
Radio Free Asia, March 14, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/03/14/zhang/

Human Rights Defender - Zheng Enchong (郑恩宠)
郑恩宠上诉案庭审 代理人受阻未能出庭 (Zheng Enchong's Appeal Case Heard in Court)
Radio Free Asia, March 14, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/03/14/zheng

Land Policy
江西拆迁户维护合法权益反被判刑 (Relocated Jiangxi Residents Sentenced for "Gathering a Crowd to Attack an Organ of the State")
Radio Free Asia, March 14, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/03/14/jiinagxi/

Media
People Left with Official Version on Tibet Violence
South China Morning Post, March 16, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d77
33492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=5e92cfb76a2b8110VgnVCM10000036
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Military
China Military Forces Defend Tibet Crackdown
Reuters, March 16, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSPEK264579

Olympics
Nepal Closes Mount Everest over Protest Concerns
Reuters, March 14, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSDEL10828120080314

Dalai Lama Refuses to Call for Boycott of Olympic Games
South China Morning Post, March 17, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d77
33492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=2cda443f008b8110VgnVCM10000036
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Protests and Petitions
博罗劳动保障部门和立森资方要求工人复工 (Boluo Authorities and Li Sen Management Demand Workers Return)
Radio Free Asia, March 14, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2008/03/14/china_labor_strike/

Guangdong Detains 14 as Strikers Protest Reported Death
Radio Free Asia, March 13, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/2008/03/13/china_strike/

Public Health
China Reports New Bird Flu Outbreak
Reuters, March 16, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSPEK273150

Tibet
Tibetan Officials Refute Dalai's "Rule of Terror" Remarks
Xinhuanet, March 17, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-03/17/content_7803002.htm

Tibetan Riots Spread to Provinces
South China Morning Post, March 17, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d77
33492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=ae3e443f008b8110VgnVCM10000036
0a0a0aRCRD


Tibetan Tensions Finally Spill Over
Financial Times, March 16, 2008
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8d1ff56c-f35b-11dc-b6bc-0000779fd2ac.html

西藏示威者在几国同警察冲突 (Tibet Demonstrators Clash with Police in Several Countries)
Voice of America, March 16, 2008
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/2008-03-16-voa6.cfm

西藏政府:騷亂造成13亡 (Tibet Government: 13 Casualties from the Riots)
Ming Pao, March 17, 2008
http://www.mpinews.com/htm/INews/20080317/ca11030w.htm