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.

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

September 02, 2009

Top News
Human Rights Defender - Xie Changfa (谢长发)
China Jails Democracy Activist for 13 Years
Deutsche Presse Agentur, September 02, 2009
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/asiapacific/news/article_1498698.php/China-jails-democracy-activist-for-13-years

On September 1, 2009, Hunan Democracy Party member Xie Changfa (谢长发) was convicted of “subversion of state power” and sentenced to thirteen years’ imprisonment and five years’ deprivation of political rights by the Changsha Intermediate Court, amongst the most severe sentences of a political dissident in several years. Xie was accused of establishing the party and its local branch as well as compiling articles with intent to disseminate in order to overturn the power of the state. His family plans to lodge an appeal on his behalf.
Related information:
Xie Changfa Receives Severe Sentence of 13 Years’ Imprisonment for Organizing Political Party
Human Rights in China, September 01, 2009
http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/171935
News
Bilateral Ties
Beijing Limits Information on Burmese Refugees Remaining in China
New York Times, September 02, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/02/world/asia/02myanmar.html
Related news:
China Tents Dismantled as Refugees Return to Myanmar
Reuters, September 01, 2009
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE5800VK20090901
Corruption
反贪局成立二十年,贪腐越反越烈 (20 Years after the Establishment of Anti-Corruption Bureau, Situation Yet to Improve)
Radio Free Asia, September 01, 2009
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/fantan-09012009102250.html

Environment
环保法律制度悄然生变 环保部门可直接作限期治理决定 (Environmental Protection Regulations Quietly Changed, Agencies below the County Level Gain Authority to Issue Disciplinary Actions)
Legal Daily, September 02, 2009
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/0801/2009-09/02/content_1147422.htm

Hong Kong
Reform Proposal Must Include 2017, Beijing Adviser Says
South China Morning Post, September 02, 2009
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=ac1e6f6584673210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Media
Filmmakers Barred from Chinese Festival
New York Times, September 02, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/02/world/asia/02quake.html

“杭州飞车案”作家刘逸明获释 刘晓波再次见律师 (Xiong Zhongjun (a.k.a. Liu Yiming) Released following 10 Days of Detention for "Spreading Rumors" Online)
Radio Free Asia, September 01, 2009
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/liumingyi-09012009115212.html
Related news:
Internet Innuendo Costly
Shanghai Daily, September 02, 2009
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2009/200908/20090826/article_411784.htm
广东连续发生记者采访被打事件 (Report: Several Instances of Journalists Being Beaten while Reporting in Guangdong)
Radio Free Asia, September 02, 2009
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/reporter-09012009120124.html

Protests and Petitions
在京访民处境绝望 无惧拘捕称比饿死强 (Beijing Petitioners in Desperate Situation, "Being Detained Is Better than Starving to Death")
Radio Free Asia, September 02, 2009
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/fangmin-09012009095840.html

State Security
國慶進入一個月倒計時 安保升級看齊奧運水准 (A Month before 60th Anniversary, Security Level Raised to that of the Olympics in Beijing)
China News Agency (via Sina.com), September 02, 2009
http://news.sina.com.hk/cgi-bin/nw/show.cgi/1/1/1/1250781/1.html
Related news:
武警部队国庆安保任务进入临战准备阶段 (People's Armed Police in Final Preparatory Stages for 60th Anniversary)
Xinhua News Agency, September 01, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2009-09/01/content_11980448.htm
Taiwan
China 'Punishes' Taiwan over Dalai Lama Visit
Telegraph, September 02, 2009
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/6121758/China-punishes-Taiwan-over-Dalai-Lama-visit.html