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, March 19, 2008

March 19, 2008

Top News of the Day
Human Rights Defender- Hu Jia (胡佳)
China Dissident Hu Jia Pleads Not Guilty at Trial
Reuters, March 18, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSPEK2
9171220080318


HIV/AIDS activist and rights defender Hu Jia (胡佳) pleaded not guilty to the charges of inciting subversion. The charges stem from articles he has published on the Internet and interviews he has given to the foreign media, his lawyer said. Hu Jia has faced almost a month of interrogation, with sessions lasting six to fourteen hours per day. Also, eight diplomats were barred from attending the trial. Asked about the case, Premier Wen Jiabao said that all cases were handled according to the law.

Related Information
HRIC Statement: Politicized Trial of Rights Defender Hu Jia Guts Freedom of Expression in China
Human Rights in China, March 18, 2008 http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/47879



News
Environment

Dust Chokes Dreams of Cleaner Air in the Capital
South China Morning Post, March 19, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem
.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0

a0/?vgnextoid=707be2dfdd2c8110VgnVCM10000
0360a0a0aRCRD&ss=China&s=New



Is Beijing Manipulating Air Pollution Statistics?
Time, March 14, 2008
http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1722
450,00.html


Human Rights Defender - Chen Shuguang (陈曙光)
湖南通信维权人士陈曙光案开庭
(Consumer Rights Activist Chen Shuguang's "Extortion and Blackmailing" Case Begins)
Radio Free Asia, March 18, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/200
8/03/18/chen/


Human Rights Defender - Chen Shuqing (陈树庆)
陈树庆狱中超时体力劳动,健康状况受到严重影响
(Human Rights Defender Chen Shuqing's Health Worsens in Prison)
Radio Free Asia, March 18, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/
03/18/chen_shuqing/


Human Rights Defender - Li Guohong (李国宏)
李国宏状告劳教委案下星期二开庭
(Li Guohong's Suit Against Reform-Through-Labor Case to Be Heard Next Tuesday)
Radio Free Asia, March 18, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/
03/18/li_guohong/


Human Rights Defender - Xiong Ying (雄鹰)
筹建民主党被判刑 妻子呼吁关注雄鹰的病情
(Wife Urges Adequate Medical Treatment for Jailed Husband, Founder of Democratic Party)
Radio Free Asia, March 18, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/
03/18/xiongying/


武汉市民遭截访后被当作精神病人送进医院
(Wuhan Petitioner, Gets "Retrieved", and Detained in Hospital)
Radio Free Asia, March 18, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/
03/18/wuhan/


Media
HK Print, TV Journalists Ejected from Lhasa Hotel After Night Raid
South China Morning Post, March 18, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af
62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0

a0/?vgnextoid=70aa61a71bdb8110VgnVCM10000
0360a0a0aRCRD&ss=China&s=Ne


温家宝:会考虑组境外记者赴藏采访
(Wen Jiabao: Will Consider Whether or Not Foreign Journalist Can Enter Tibet)
British Broadcasting Corporation, March 18, 2008
http://news.bbc.co.uk/chinese/simp/hi/newsid_730
0000/newsid_7302000/7302084.stm


Olympics
西藏镇压事件德国大多数民众认为应该抵制北京奥运
(German Public Supports Boycotting Olympics)
Radio Free Asia, March 19, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/200
8/03/18/zang7/


Protests and Petitions
280名买断工龄干部前往云南省委静坐示威
(280 Yunnan Cadres to Protest at Provincial Government)
Radio Free Asia, March 18, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/0
3/18/gongling/


Public Health
China's Hepatitis B Carriers Face Gloomy Future
Reuters, March 18, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/articlePrint?articleId=US
T25713820080319


Tibet
China Warns of "Life and Death Struggle" over Tibet
Reuters, March 18, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSPEK2
6733920080319


Dalai Lama Threatens to Resign
New York Times, March 18, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/19/world/asi
a/19dalai.html?hp


Is West Toning Down Criticism of China over Tibet?
Reuters, March 18, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/articlePrint?articleId=US
L1863047320080318