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.

Friday, April 24, 2009

April 24, 2009

Top News

Human Rights Defender – Geng He (耿和)
Wife of Chinese Dissident Appeals to US Congress
Associated Press (available at YahooNews), April 24, 2009
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090424/ap_on_re_as/as_china_outspoken_lawyer

Geng He (耿和), wife of rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng, sent an open letter on Thursday appealing to the U.S. Congress to disclose her husband’s whereabout. Gao an outspoken critic of the Chinese government who has represented victims of forced evictions and Falun Gong practitioners, was taken from his hometown in February by state security policemen.


Related News
Wife of Abducted Rights Defense Lawyer Gao Zhisheng Requests Urgent Help from U.S. Congress in Open Letter
Human Rights in China, April 23, 2009
http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/160063

News

Corruption
Child Prostitution Case Withdrawn after Public Outcry
South China Morning Post, April 24, 2009
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0
a0/?vgnextoid=72050eb0d23d0210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Disasters
Sichuan Bans Review of Collapsed Schools
South China Morning Post, April 24, 2009
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0
a0/?vgnextoid=ab9fa9637a3d0210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD


Related News
成都9月1日前完成学校重建 新聚源中学9度设防 (Chengdu Will Finish School
Reconstruction by Sep 1)
Net Ease, April 24, 2009
http://news.163.com/09/0424/09/57LF5LVL0001124J.html
Education
Academic Journal Feels the Heat over 'Page Fees'
Shanghai Daily, April 23, 2009
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=398582

Environment
Pollution in Chinese Cities 'Extremely Severe'
Agence France-Presse (available at YahooNews), April 23, 2009
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090423/wl_asia_afp/chinaenvironmentpollution

Food Security
食品安全法草案公开征求意见 (Food Safety Draft Law Seeking Public Input)
Nanfang City News, April 24, 2009
http://epaper.nddaily.com/A/html/2009-04/24/content_770697.htm

Law
北京法院推出便民新举措 为群众诉讼提供"一站式"服务 (Beijing Court to Offer "One-Stop Service" for Public to File Lawsuits)
Xinhuanet, April 23, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2009-04/23/content_11247129.htm

Media
网络报一记者被诉强迫交易罪 (Journalist who Accepted "Hush Money" Accused of Extortion)
Nanfang City News, April 24, 2009
http://epaper.nddaily.com/A/html/2009-04/24/content_770706.htm

Politics
China at a Crossroad: Right or left?
Asia Times Online, April 24, 2009
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/KD24Ad01.html

Top Legislature to Explain Official Dismissals
China Daily, April 24, 2009
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-04/24/content_7712257.htm

Population
Report Says China Facing Looming Aging Crisis
China Post, April 23, 2009
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/china/national-news/2009/04/23/205405/Report-says.htm

Protests and Petitions
Trial Review Set for Petitioner amid Public Outcry
China Daily, April 23, 2009
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-04/23/content_7708836.htm

Public Health
Chinese Firm Recalls Tainted Luncheon Meat: Report
Agence France-Presse (available at YahooNews), April 23, 2009
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090423/wl_asia_afp/chinahealthfoodsafety

Religion
China's Decade-Long Ban on Falun Gong Holds Firm
Associated Press (available at YahooNews), April 23, 2009
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090423/ap_on_re_as/as_china_falun_gong