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, December 22, 2009

December 23, 2009

Top News of the Day

Human Rights Defender - Liu Xiaobo (刘晓波)
China Opens Trial of Leading Dissident Liu Xiaobo
Reuters (via Yahoo! News), December 23, 2009
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20091223/wl_nm/us_china_dissident



Related information:
Diplomats Kept away from China Dissident's Trial
Associated Press (via Google News), December 23, 2009
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jhUm7us8viZgI3LPIS4ekels25DAD9CON8F00

歐美使節被拒旁聽劉曉波案 (US, EU Diplomats Refused to Attend the Hearing)
Ming Pao, December 23, 2009
http://inews.mingpao.com/htm/INews/20091223/ca31005.htm

当局在刘晓波案开审前恐吓维权人士 (Authorities Warn Several Rights Defenders Not to Voice Support for Liu Xiaobo)
Radio Free Asia, December 22, 2009
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/dissident_assault-12222009110420.html

Ding Zilin Urges Charter 08 Signers to “Join” Liu Xiaobo’s Trial
Human Rights in China, December 18, 2009
http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/172613

News

Gender
China Opens State-backed Gay Bar to Fight Spread of Aids
The Independent, December 23, 2009
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/china-opens-statebacked-homosexual-bar-to-combat-aids-1848122.html

Human Rights Defenders
Tainted-milk Activist Zhao Lianhai Officially Arrested for 'Making Trouble'
South China Morning Post, December 23, 2009
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=5d639b8b7a6b5210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Internet Censorship
"短命"的人民网微博客 (Twitter-like Microblog by People's Daily Shut down 3 Hours After Its Launch)
Radio France Internationale, December 22, 2009
http://www.rfi.fr/actucn/articles/120/article_18284.asp


Related information:
官方關注迷你博客殺傷巨 (Internet Could Trigger Major Unrest:
Chinese Academy of Social Sciences)
Ming Pao, December 22, 2009
http://news.mingpao.com/20091222/cca1h.htm


Protests and Petitions
两地维权农民遭到打击报复 (Rights Defenders for Evicted Rural Residents Face Retaliation)
Radio Free Asia, December 22, 2009
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/nongmin-12222009122339.html

Law
Arbitrary Justice: Ignoring Its Own Laws, China Is Set to Execute a Briton with an Apparent History of Severe Mental Illness
South China Morning Post, December 23, 2009
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=11e17bf1576b5210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Public Health
Chinese Vice Premier Calls for Deepened Medical Reform
Xinhua News Agency, December 22, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-12/22/content_12690251.htm

Social Security
China Considers Establishing State Social Security Fund
Xinhua News Agency, December 23, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-12/23/content_12692178.htm

Related News:
Pensions up Again, and They'll Be Portable Too
South China Morning Post, December 23, 2009
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=00bc93f9067b5210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD