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.

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

April 4-7, 2009

Top News of the Day

Human Rights Defender - Sun Wenguang (孙文广)
Beating Won't Deter Me, Says Elderly Activist
South China Morning Post, April 07, 2009
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0?vgnextoid=839927fe55c70210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

On April 4, 2009, Sun Wenguang (孙文广), 75, retired professor of Shandong University, was severely beaten by five unidentified men as he defied university authorities to make the trip to Yingxiong Mountain (英雄山) in Jinan, Shandong Province to mourn late Party Secretary Zhao Ziyang. He was then hospitalized and diagnosed with 3 broken ribs. Currently he is reportedly in stable condition. Between 1966 and 1981, Professor Sun was detained and imprisoned multiple times for a total of more than ten years for expressing his opinions on political issues.
Related News
Retired Professor Attacked after Honoring Memory of Late Party Secretary Zhao Ziyang
Human Rights in China, April 7, 2009
http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/153458

News
Disasters
汶川震后第一个清明节 当局禁家长校外祭奠(图)(Mourning Parents Barred from Schools Collapsed in Sichuan Quake)
Radio Free Asia, April 06, 2009
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/beichuan-04062009091818.html

Government
Anger at Cost of Dying Casts Shadow over Ching Ming
South China Morning Post, April 06, 2009
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=78150e494f670210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=china&s=news?vgnextoid=78150e494f670210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=china&s=news

Human Rights Defenders
北大反右运动受害学生再发公开信 (Anti-Rightist Campaign Victims Send Letter to Chinese President)
Radio Free Asia, April 06, 2009
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/64-04062009131253.html

June 4th
香港支联会清明献花悼念六四死难者(视频)(HK Alliance Organizes Public Wreath-laying Ceremony in Ching Ming)
Radio Free Asia, April 06, 2009
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/mei-04062009093119.html

港民主人士抵美参与纪念六四活动 (HK Democracy Advocate Arrives at U.S., Join Tiananmen Commemoration Activities)
Voice of America, April 06, 2009
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2009-04-06-voa43.cfm?rss=topstories

Internet Censorship
Professor Sues Firm over Closure of His Website
South China Morning Post, April 07, 2009
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=1d1927fe55c70210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Crackdown Draws Industry Concerns
Shanghai Daily, April 06, 2009
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2009/200904/20090406/article_396722.htm

Media
江苏省推广围堵记者的“响水经验” (Jiangsu Authorities Promote "Xiangshui County's Experience" - An Effective Media Blackout)
Radio France Internationale, April 06, 2009
http://www.rfi.fr/actucn/articles/112/article_13022.asp

Protests and Petitions
1,000 Villagers in Danzhou City Clash over Use of Graveyard
South China Morning Post, April 06, 2009
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=8e730e494f670210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

访民进京扫墓遭上海警方毒打 杨佳墓被安装摄像监视头 (Petitioners Going to Beijing for Tomb-sweeping Intercepted, Beaten by Shanghai Police)
Radio Free Asia, April 06, 2009
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/shanghai-04062009114007.html

访民清明祭奠为诉冤 天安门撒近千份传单(视频) (Petitioners Attempt to Lay Flowers at Monument to People's Heroes, Spread Leaflets in Tiananmen Square)
Radio Free Asia, April 05, 2009
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/fang-04052009182051.html

Public Health
Disease Could Spread in China
Radio Free Asia, April 04, 2009
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/disease-04042009200618.html

China in Bold Move on Volatile Health Care Issue
Associated Press (available at YahooNews), April 06, 2009
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090406/ap_on_re_as/as_china_health_reform
Related News
Mainland Poor Are Left to Count High Cost of Medical Treatment
South China Morning Post, April 07, 2009
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=4f7927fe55c70210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Tibet
Report: Tibet Reopened to Foreign Tourists
Associated Press (available at YahooNews), April 04, 2009
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090405/ap_on_re_as/as_china_tibet