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 26, 2008

March 26, 2008

Top News of the Day
Bilateral Ties
China Pressed at U.N. Rights Body to Re-open Tibet
Reuters, March 25, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSL2516490320080325
The European Union urged China to permit to foreigners to enter Tibet in a speech to the U.N. Human Rights Council on March 25, 2008. This was also echoed in a statement from the US criticizing Tibet's closure to foreign diplomats, journalists, and international observers. The EU also called on China to refrain from using force against the protesting Tibetans. The protests are in their third week.

News
Bilateral Ties
French President Won't Rule Out Olympics Boycott
Voice of America, March 25, 2008
http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-03-25-voa27.cfm

Government
太石村“村民选举委员会”选举被群众目为非法 (Guangdong Villagers Feel Village Election Proceedings in Violation of the Law)
Radio Free Asia, March 25, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/03/25/taishicun

Human Rights Defender - Li Guohong (李国宏)
李国宏告官行政诉讼开庭 望推翻违法劳教决定 (Rights Defender Li Guohong's Administrative Suit Heard Tuesday on Overturning His Reeducation-Through-Labor Judgment)
Radio Free Asia, March 25, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/03/25/li_guohong

Human Rights Defender - Yang Chunlin (杨春林)
China Slams Jail Door on Olympic Dissent
The Star.com, March 25, 2008
http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/350435

Labor
Kraft's China Union Says Relocation Violates Law
Reuters, March 25, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSPEK33478320080325

Law
Outcry over Different Penalties for Criminals
South China Morning Post, March 26, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d77
33492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=0ebb4fe7bd6e8110VgnVCM10000036
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Media
China Curbs Tibet Information Flow
Financial Times, March 25, 2008
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c55f05a0-fa89-11dc-aa46-000077b07658.html

Mainland Media Ignores Protest at Games Torch Ceremony
South China Morning Post, March 26, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d77
33492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=f72b4fe7bd6e8110VgnVCM10000036
0a0a0aRCRD


Olympics
奥运主场馆地区不愿搬迁的居民面临被强拆 (Unwilling Residents Forced to Relocate from Olympics Arena Area)
Radio Free Asia, March 25, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/03/25/chaiqian

Protests Expected in Olympic Torch Run
Associated Press (available at YahooNews), March 25, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080325/ap_on_re_eu/oly_torch_lighting_21

Protests and Petitions
成都访民:法院不申冤 反生冤 (Chengdu Petitioners Allege Courts Create -- Not Address -- Grievances)
Radio Free Asia, March 25, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/03/25/chengdu

Social Security
New Social Security Scheme on Cards in Shenzhen
Xinhuanet, March 26, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-03/26/content_7860585.htm

State Security
Engineer Sentenced to 24 Years in China Conspiracy Case
Los Angeles Times, March 25, 2008
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-chimak25mar25,1,5491560.story

Tibet
Beijing Sends Top Officials to Inspect Lhasa
South China Morning Post, March 26, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d77
33492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=419b4fe7bd6e8110VgnVCM10000036
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China Tightens Grip on Tibet Monasteries
Associated Press (available at YahooNews), March 25, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080325/ap_on_re_as/china_tibet_190

举雪山狮子旗者被捕 藏民抗争持续 (Raisers of Snow-Mountain Lion Flags, Tibetan Symbol of Independence, Arrested as the Tibetan Struggle Continues)
Radio Free Asia, March 25, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/03/25/zang

Tibetans March for Talks with Dalai Lama
Radio Free Asia, March 25, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/2008/03/25/tibetans_protest/

西藏的藏语文教育 (Critiques on Tibetan Language and Culture Education within Tibet)
Radio Free Asia, March 25, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/03/25/zang2/

XUAR
Xinjiang Police Detains "Urumqi Bus Blast" Rumor Spreaders
Xinhuanet, March 25, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-03/25/content_7856996.htm