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, November 24, 2008

November 22-24, 2008

Top News
Multilateral

UN Body Criticises China over 'Widespread' Torture Allegations
Agence France-Presse (available at YahooNews), November 21, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081122/wl_asia_afp/chinaunrightstorture

The United Nations Committee Against Torture released a report on Friday calling on the Chinese government to fully probe widespread allegations of torture and rights abuses. The committee also recommended that China “conduct a full and impartial investigation” of the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989 and criticized the government for withholding data by invoking its State Secrets Act.

Related News
UN Committee Says China “Should Take Immediate Steps to Prevent Acts of Torture”
Human Rights in China, November 21, 2008
http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/78014

China Protests against "Prejudiced" U.N. Torture Report
Reuters (available at YahooNews), November 22, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081123/wl_nm/us_china_torture
News
Economic Development
Chinese Provinces Propose $1.4 Trillion Stimulus
Associated Press (available at CNN), November 23, 2008
http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=795438&lang=eng_news

Environment
中国水土流失严重 威胁到粮食安全 (Soil Erosion Threatens Food Safety)
Radio Free Asia, November 22, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/tu-11222008100219.html

Government
Security Minister Warns about Social Stability
South China Morning Post, November 24, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=b2eafe70d9ccd110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

四川龙泉驿区选乡镇书记 全球都能上网看直播 (Sichuan Village Election Broadcast Live Online)
Xinhuanet, November 23, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2008-11/23/content_10398769.htm

Human Rights Defenders
Chinese Journalist Sentenced to 3 Years
Associated Press (available at YahooNews), November 21, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081121/ap_on_re_as/as_china_human_rights

Labor
重庆出租车企业工会组建工作全面铺开 (Chongqing to Establish Union for Cab Drivers)
Xinhuanet, November 24, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2008-11/24/content_10402893.htm

北京规定企业一次裁员逾20人需申报 (Businesses Must Declare Layoffs of 20 or More)
Xinhuanet, November 22, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/local/2008-11/22/content_10394738.htm

Land Policy
北京“小岗村”同意流转万亩地 年底将全国首拍 (Beijing Residents First to Auction Land Rights under New Policy)
Xinhuanet, November 24, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2008-11/24/content_10402728.htm

Media
中國將深化報業體制改革 (China to Deepen Media Reforms)
Ming Pao, November 23, 2008
http://www.mpinews.com/htm/INews/20081123/ca72105c.htm

中国官方媒体抢报负面新闻 (Chinese Official Press Fights to Cover Negative News First)
Radio Free Asia, November 21, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/fumian-11212008095925.html

Poverty
City Aids Firms Hiring Laid-off Workers
South China Morning Post, November 24, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=88f6caa974acd110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Protests and Petitions
Shantou to Probe Claims of Official Graft over Taxis
South China Morning Post, November 24, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=49a7caa974acd110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Suizhou Taxi Drivers Stage Strike
South China Morning Post, November 24, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=67a2ce96deccd110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

湖北陨西县访民北京上访遭关押黑监狱 (Hubei Petitioners Detained in Black Prison)
Radio Free Asia, November 23, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/hu-11232008183201.html

Public Health
Social Welfare Plan Aims at Better Health Care for Rural Areas
South China Morning Post, November 24, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=a1c6caa974acd110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Tibet

Fleeing Tibetan Students Bring Tales of Brutal Repression by the Chinese
China Post, November 24, 2008
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/china/local-news/tibet/2008/11/24/184626/Fleeing-Tibetan.htm