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 23, 2009

November 21-23, 2009

Top news
Human Rights Defender – Huang Qi (黄琦)
內地維權人士黃琦判囚3年 (Huang Qi Sentenced to Three Years for Illegally Possessing State Secrets)
Ming Pao, November 23, 2009
http://inews.mingpao.com/htm/INews/20091123/ca11133i.htm

Chengdu-based rights activist Huang Qi (黄琦) was sentenced this morning to three years’ imprisonment on charges of "illegal possession of state secrets." This sentence comes over three months after he was tried in a closed hearing on August 5, 2009. Huang, who is the founder of Tianwang Human Rights Centre (www.64tianwang.com), was detained on June 10, 2008, by authorities after participating in Sichuan earthquake relief activities and researching and publishing news about the plight of parents who had lost children in the quake and its aftermath. He was formally arrested on July 18, 2008.
Related news:
China Quake Dissident Jailed for 3 Years: Family
Reuters, November 22, 2009
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE5AM0IC20091123

Related information:
Authorities Kidnapped and Prevented Court Appearance by Witness for Huang Qi’s Case
Human Rights in China, August 5, 2009
http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/171781

News
Bilateral Ties
China, EU Hold Human Rights Dialogue
Xinhua News Agency, November 21, 2009
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-11/21/content_9015562.htm

Human Rights Defender – Guo Feixiong (郭飞雄)
Chinese Rights Lawyer's Wife Gets US Asylum: Supporters
Agence France-Presse, November 22, 2009
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jPI8ilbd3ycHBUNEG21tTEl0h-Iw

Related news:
在广东监狱服刑的郭飞雄的妻子儿女获得美国政治庇护 (Imprisoned Rights Defender Guo Feixiong's Family Granted Political Asylum in U.S.)
Radio Free Asia, November 19, 2009
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/zhangqing-11192009133629.html
Human Rights Defenders
维权律师林洪楠不服停业处罚在听证会上答辩 (Rights Defense Law Lin Hongnan Refuses to Heed Penalty to Stop Practice, Continues Defense of Client in Yan Xiaoling Case)
Radio Free Asia, November 20, 2009
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/rights_lawyer-11202009111105.html

Labor
Fund Set to Help the Disabled Jobless
Xinhua News Agency, November 23, 2009
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2009/200911/20091123/article_420334.htm

黑龙江矿难104死 省长称负领导责任 (104 Dead in Heilongjiang Coal Mine Explosion)
Southern Weekend, November 23, 2009
http://www.infzm.com/content/37791

Related news:
China Families Protest Mine Disaster, Toll Hits 104
Reuters, November 22, 2009
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSPEK284285
Protests and Petitions
广州城管委今日联合接访 番禺业主自发前往 (Panyu, Guangzhou Residents Send Loud "No" Response to Waste Incinerator Project)
Southern Metropolis Daily, November 23, 2009
http://www.ycwb.com/news/2009-11/23/content_2338966.htm

Related news:
Incinerator Plans on Back Burner until Assessments OK
China Daily, November 23, 2009
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2009-11/23/content_9019769.htm

Related information:
Videos taken of the demonstration:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrCOWeIJQ4Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI2mye61a2M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDUhUE9-Y-I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wztNvhmIdzs
Religion
Chinese Ex-president Sought in Spanish Probe: Lawyer
Agence France-Presse, November 19, 2009
http://www.sinodaily.com/2006/091119193332.f2vnc0bs.html

Police Detained Clergymen to Disrupt Service, Church Says
South China Morning Post, November 23, 2009
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=f2760dda76c15210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD