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 28, 2008

May 28, 2008

Top News of the Day
Human Rights
US 'Takes Seriously' Reports of China Rights Clampdown
Agence France-Presse (available at YahooNews), May 27, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080527/pl_afp/uschinadiplomacyrightsinternet_080527230944
A U.S. State Department spokesperson said on May 27 that they will look into reports of
Chinese human rights defenders being placed under increased surveillance ahead of the U.S.-China Human Rights Dialogue held in Beijing this week. Zeng Jinyan (曾金燕) is reportedly among the affected activists. Chinese authorities allegedly barred her from leaving her house on May 23 -24.

Related Information
HRIC Deplores Intimidation of Rights Activists Ahead of U.S.-China Talks on Human Rights
Human Rights in China, May 27, 2008
http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/54948

State Security
新疆维族基督徒阿里木江案不公开审理六小时后休庭退查 (Closed Trial for XUAR Christian Alimujiang Yimiti Lasts for Six Hours; Case Sent Back to Police for Supplementary Investigation)
Radio Free Asia, May 27, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/jidu-05272008171324.html
On May 27, an Intermediate People's Court held a six-hour closed trial for XUAR Christian Alimujiang Yimiti on charges of "inciting splittism" and "providing state secrets outside of the country." His wife Gulnur told RFA that after the trial a prosecutor notified her that Yimiti's case will be sent back to police for supplementary investigation due to insufficient evidence.

News
Bilateral Ties

China Rebukes UK's Brown for Meeting Dalai Lama
Reuters, May 27, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-China/idUSPEK13091920080527

Children
Families Eager to Adopt Children Left Homeless
South China Morning Post, May 28, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=26f444d544b2a110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Disasters
Quake Relief HQ Says Focus of Relief Work to Shift to Reconstruction
Xinhuanet, May 27, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/27/content_8265202.htm

Environment
China Set to Ban Ultra-Thin Plastic Bags
Reuters, May 27, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSPEK16089020080527

Heavy Pollution Warning Issued in Beijing
Reuters, May 27, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSPEK764120080527

Human Rights Defenders
愿为遭起诉的西藏人辩护 维权律师年检受阻 (Beijing Municipal Judicial Bureau Refuses to Renew Licenses for Human Rights Lawyers Who Offered to Help Tibetan Protestors)
Radio Free Asia, May 27, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/lawyer-05272008105254.html

Law
最高法:做好抗震救灾期间审判工作 从重处罚七类犯罪 (Supreme People's Court Issues Notice Stipulating Severe Punishments for Seven Types of Quake-Related Crimes)
Legal Daily, May 27, 2008
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/0705/2008-05/27/content_866424.htm

Olympics
Security Blanket
South China Morning Post, May 28, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=9723a811e7a2a110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Protests and Petitions
上海发生大规模镇压村民事件 (Over 500 Police Officers Dispatched to Quash Anti-Corruption Protestors in Shanghai Village)
Radio Free Asia, May 27, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/cunmin-05272008083909.html

Tibet
Tibetan Detained for Media Contact
Radio Free Asia, May 27, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet_arrest-05272008123901.html

XUAR
Uygurs Charged over Protest on Religion
South China Morning Post, May 28, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=d22eb9c15ca2a110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD