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, August 08, 2016

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Chinese lawyer Wang Yu given ABA International Human Rights Award in absentia
ABA Journal, August 6, 2016
http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/chinese_lawyer_wang_yu_given_inaugural_aba_international_human_rights_award/

Related:
To American Bar Association with regard to ABA Human Rights Award to Wang Yu
China Change, August 6, 2016
https://chinachange.org/2016/08/06/to-american-bar-association-with-regard-to-aba-human-rights-award-to-wang-yu/

U.S. criticizes China's “political” trials as fourth activist punished for subversion
The Guardian, August 5, 2016
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/05/us-criticises-chinas-political-trials-as-fourth-activist-punished-for-subversion

Related:
China rejects Western criticism of crackdown on rights defenders
South China Morning Post, August 6, 2016
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2000072/china-rejects-western-criticism-crackdown-rights

Week of TV trials in China signals new phase in attack on rights
审判维权律师彰显中国打压人权进入新阶段
The New York Times, August 6, 2016
EN: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/06/world/asia/china-trial-activists-lawyers.html
CH: http://cn.nytimes.com/china/20160808/china-trial-activists-lawyers/

Related:
HRIC Urges Independent Observers at Upcoming Trials of Lawyers and Activists in China
Human Rights in China, August 5, 2016
http://www.hrichina.org/en/press-work/statement/hric-urges-independent-observers-upcoming-trials-lawyers-and-activists-china

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

Risqué business: first Mr Gay China shows new, more public face of LGBT
The Guardian, August 6, 2016
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/06/risque-business-first-mr-gay-china-shows-new-more-public-face-of-lgbt

Government Accountability (政府问责)

Two more of China’s former top commanders taken away for corruption investigation: military sources
South China Morning Post, August 5, 2016
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/1999535/two-more-chinas-former-top-commanders-taken-away

China to revamp party's youth league
The Hindu, August 5, 2016
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/in-battle-for-heartsandminds-china-orders-revamp-of-communist-youth-league/article8948390.ece

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

China’s tech firms flip “copycat” image
China Digital Times, August 5, 2016
http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2016/08/chinas-tech-trailblazers-innovators/

China launches first mobile telecoms satellite from Beijing
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 7, 2016
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-37001773

National Security & Counterterrorism (国家安全和反恐)

Xinjiang regional government passes new counterterrorism law
Radio Free Asia, August 5, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/xinjiang-regional-government-passes-new-counterterrorism-law-08052016160441.html

What to make of China's latest meeting with the Taliban
The Diplomat, August 5, 2016
http://thediplomat.com/2016/08/what-to-make-of-chinas-latest-meeting-with-the-taliban/

Hong Kong (香港)

Thousands attend “first pro-independence rally” amid calls to infiltrate gov’t and police force
Hong Kong Free Press, August 6, 2016
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2016/08/06/thousands-attend-first-pro-independence-rally-amid-calls-infiltrate-govt-police-force/

Hong Kong election officials disqualify six legislative candidates for not being “loyal” enough to China
Global Voices, August 5, 2016
https://globalvoices.org/2016/08/05/hong-kong-election-officials-disqualify-six-legislative-candidates-for-not-being-loyal-enough-to-china/

Related:
【撤銷參選權】環時:港府着眼長遠所作決定 否認港獨因北京高壓 ([Disqualifying candidacies] Global Times: Hong Kong government makes the decisions basing on long-term consideration, Hong Kong independence mood did not rise out of Beijing’s high pressure)
Ming Pao, August 6, 2016
http://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20160806/s00001/1470441087269

“I was to be their eyes and ears”: Hong Kong bookseller claims mainland agent told him to report on customers
South China Morning Post, August 6, 2016
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2000041/i-was-be-their-eyes-and-ears-hong-kong-bookseller-claims

【政治審查】「可怕」的香港Tee是我設計的(文:余若薇) ([Political censorship] Civic Party Audrey Eu: The horrifying Hong Kong Tee-shirt is my design)
Ming Pao, August 7, 2016
http://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20160807/s00022/1470534843949

Opinion and Editorial (观点和社论)

China show trials: Victory for politics of fear in Tianjin?
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 5, 2016
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-36983521

How to understand China’s confession videos
Washington Post, August 5, 2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/how-to-understand-chinas-confession-videos/2016/08/05/1bc7a1a0-5a75-11e6-831d-0324760ca856_story.html

香港本土和大中華根本非水火不容 (Hong Kong “localism” and “greater China-ism” are actually not mutually exclusive)
InMedia HK, August 6, 2016
http://www.inmediahk.net/node/1043879