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, April 20, 2009

April 18-20, 2009

Top News

Human Rights Defender – Liu Yao (刘尧)
Freed Lawyer Vows to Clear His Name
South China Morning Post, April 18, 2009
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=5bad59d5ef4b0210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

The Shenzhen rights defense lawyer Liu Yao (刘尧), who represented Guangdong villagers in a land dispute case, had his sentence for “intentional destruction of properties” reduced from two years to 18 months and suspended for two years, meaning that Liu would not have to serve time. However, unless the guilty verdict is overturned, Liu will not be able to practice law.

Related News
Pursuant to New Court Ruling, Shenzhen Rights Defense Lawyer Liu Yao Released after More than 400 Days in Detention
Human Rights in China, April 17, 2009
http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/157987
News
Corruption
China Retrieves Billions in Embezzled Funds
Agence France-Presse (available at YahooNews), April 17, 2009
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090418/wl_afp/chinafinancecorruptionaudit

Disasters
Artist Tallies Student Quake Deaths
South China Morning Post, April 18, 2009
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=58073e113a4b0210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

China Coal Mine Warehouse Blast Kills At Least 18
Reuters (available at YahooNews), April 18, 2009
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090418/wl_nm/us_china_explosion_coal

Economic Development
Rights Lawyer Beaten by Thugs with Steel Bar
South China Morning Post, April 18, 2009
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/vgnextoid=472d59d5ef4b0210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Government
北川縣又一官員自殺身亡 (Another Official from Sichuan Disaster Zone Commits Suicide)
Ming Pao, April 20, 2009
http://www.mpinews.com/htm/INews/20090420/ca11307k.htm

Human Rights Defender – Liu Xiaobo (刘晓波)
刘晓波获得美国笔会自由写作奖 (Liu Xiaobo Wins PEN America's Freedom Award)
Radio Free Asia, March 17, 2009
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/liuxiaobo-04172009120527.html

Media
数十小区统一封杀一份报纸? (Netizens Accuse Real Estate Company of Blocking Newspaper from Residents)
Nanfang City News, April 20, 2009
http://epaper.nddaily.com/A/html/2009-04/20/content_765461.htm

China Launches New English-Language Newspaper
Associated Press (available at YahooNews), April 19, 2009
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090420/ap_on_re_as/as_china_new_newspaper

Police
15 Suspicious Deaths in China Jails in 2009 Alone
Agence France-Presse (available at YahooNews), April 19, 2009
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090419/wl_asia_afp/chinaprisondeaths

Related news:
State Cleans House over Detentions
China Daily, April 20, 2009
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-04/20/content_7693434.htm

China 'To Act over Jail Deaths'
BBC, April 19, 2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8006942.stm
Protests and Petitions
抗议孙东东被罚坐老虎凳 (Petitioner Abused after Protesting Beida Professor)
Radio Free Asia, April 17, 2009
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/sundongdong-04172009085154.html

Public Health
Bird Flu Outbreak Reported in Lhasa
China Daily, April 20, 2009
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-04/20/content_7693416.htm

大学生乙肝病毒携带者网上揭露北大招生歧视现象 (Student Exposes Discrimination against Hep B Carriers at Beijing Univ)
Radio Free Asia, April 17, 2009
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/hepatitis-B-04172009085531.html

Three Gorges
28,000 More Moved from China Three Gorges Area
Agence France-Presse (available at YahooNews), April 17, 2009
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090417/wl_asia_afp/chinadamthreegorgesenvironment