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, May 21, 2008

May 21, 2008

Top News of the Day
Land Disputes
太平村村民指村官不去抗震却来强拆 (Villagers near Quake Site Served with Eviction Notice)
Radio Free Asia, May 20, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/taipingcun-05202008092034.html
While state officials put disaster relief work as the government's top priority, Chengdu officials issued an eviction notice to five households in Taiping Village, Chengdu, Sichuan on May 19. These households will have to move out by May 22 or they will face forcible eviction.

News
Disasters

China's Post-Quake Challenge: 5 Million Homeless
Associated Press (available at YahooNews), May 21, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080520/ap_on_re_as/china_earthquake

Dogs in Firing Line Amid Fears of Disease
South China Morning Post, May 21, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=c01168c4b370a110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Geologist Plays Down Warning of Aftershock
South China Morning Post, May 21, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=c2b068c4b370a110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Hundreds of Beijing Couples Clamouring to Adopt Orphans
South China Morning Post, May 21, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=8f0268c4b370a110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Religion Gives Some Answers for Calamity
Agence France-Presse (available at South China Morning Post), May 21, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=38b268c4b370a110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Rescues Continue in China, but Focus Is Shifting to the 5 Million Left Homeless
New York Times, May 21, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/21/world/asia/21china.html

Aftershocks Rock Sichuan
Radio Free Asia, May 20, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/sichuan-05202008082106.html

建行冻结成都义工的民间捐款 (China Construction Bank Freezes Private Donations in Chengdu)
Radio Free Asia, May 20, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/earthquake_donation-05202008123623.html

China Vows Firm Hand on Graft, Malfeasance in Quake Relief
Xinhuanet, May 20, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/20/content_8216566.htm

Many Hands, Not Held by China, Aid in Quake
New York Times, May 20, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/20/world/asia/20citizens.html

Labor
Six People Killed, 13 Injured in Plant Fire in East China City
Xinhuanet, May 21, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/21/content_8219167.htm

Tibet
China Blocks Thousands of Hindus from Tibet Pilgrimage
New York Times, May 21, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/21/world/asia/21trek.html

Exiled Tibet Govt Calls for Halt to Anti-China Protests
Agence France-Presse (available at YahooNews), May 21, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080521/wl_asia_afp/chinaquaketibetrightsdalaiprotests_080521054752

Tibetan Exiles to Kick Off Mock Olympics in India
Agence France-Presse (available at YahooNews), May 21, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080521/wl_sthasia_afp/indiatibetchinarightsprotestoly2008_080521054926

Leading Tibetan Freed, Awaiting Trial
Radio Free Asia, May 20, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet_bail-05202008174657.html

XUAR
新疆霍城家庭教会领袖被以涉嫌分裂国家罪拘留 (XUAR House Church Leader Detained on Suspicion of "Separatism")
Radio Free Asia, May 20, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/xj-05202008091853.html