Access to Justice (司法公正)

A third update on lawyer Li Chunfu: He was drugged in custody
China Change, January 15, 2017
https://chinachange.org/2017/01/15/a-third-update-on-lawyer-li-chunfu-he-was-drugged-in-custody/

Related:
709 Lawyer Released on Bail in Psychological Distress
“709”被捕律师李春富取保候审，身心状况异常
Human Rights in China, January 13, 2017
EN: http://www.hrichina.org/en/press-work/hric-bulletin/709-lawyer-released-bail-psychological-distress
CH: http://www.hrichina.org/chs/xin-wen-gong-zuo/zhong-guo-ren-quan-jian-xun/709bei-bu-lu-shi-li-chun-fu-qu-bao-hou-shen-shen-xin

Chinese government thwarts effort to appeal the recent Wukan sentences
China Change, January 17, 2017
https://chinachange.org/2017/01/17/chinese-government-thwarts-effort-to-appeal-the-recent-wukan-sentences/

人权组织呼吁释放藏族活动人士：审判扎西文色就是审判中国宪法 (Rights group calls for release of Tibetan activist: Putting Tashi Wangchuk on trial means putting the Chinese Constitution on trial)
Voice of America, January 17, 2017
http://www.voachinese.com/a/hrw-calling-chian-drop-charges-tibetan-activist-20170116/3678608.html

Lawyers urge China’s top judge to quit over controversial comments against “Western” judicial independence
South China Morning Post, January 17, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2062829/lawyers-urge-chinas-top-judge-quit-over-controversial

Related:
“对司法独立亮剑"引发网民唇枪舌剑 (“To wield a sword against judicial independence” speech sparks heated online debate)
Deutsche Welle, January 17, 2017
http://www.dw.com/zh/对司法独立亮剑引发网民唇枪舌剑/ a-37145086

Access to Information (信息公开)

Chinese official fired after calling Mao “a devil”
Reuters, January 16, 2017
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-mao-idUSKBN151050

China ramps up control of domain names, adds new layer to Great Firewall
Radio Free Asia, January 16, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/internet-domain-01162017155356.html

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

Ministry wants random inspections for China’s non-governmental organizations
South China Morning Post, January 16, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2062578/ministry-wants-random-inspections-chinas-non

Government Accountability (政府问责)

Tiananmen activist’s hands and feet shackled for extended periods in Chinese prison, lawyer says
Hong Kong Free Press, January 17, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/01/17/tiananmen-activists-hands-and-feet-shackled-for-extended-periods-in-chinese-prison-lawyer-says/

Hong Kong (香港)

Beijing approves resignation of John Tsang and Carrie Lam; chief exec. bids expected
Hong Kong Free Press, January 16, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/01/16/breaking-beijing-approves-resignation-of-john-tsang-and-carrie-lam-chief-exec-bids-expected/

Related:
A guide to the top contenders vying to be Hong Kong’s next chief executive
Quartz, January 17, 2017
https://qz.com/884690/a-guide-to-the-top-contenders-vying-to-be-hong-kongs-next-chief-executive/

Police make fifth arrest connected to assault of pro-democracy lawmaker Nathan Law at airport
Hong Kong Free Press, January 16, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/01/16/police-make-fifth-arrest-connected-to-assault-of-pro-democracy-lawmaker-nathan-law-at-airport/

戴耀廷推「民間投票」選特首 強調不綑綁選委 (Benny Tai launches “civil referendum” on the CE, stresses that the result would not bind the Election Committee)
Mingpao, January 16, 2017
http://news.mingpao.com/pns/dailynews/web_tc/article/20170116/s00002/1484503826065

林鄭指23條立法屬憲制責任　惟應審時度勢 (Carrie Lam says enactment of laws for Art. 23 is a constitutional responsibility, but gov’t should assess first)
Sing Tao Daily, January 16, 2017
http://std.stheadline.com/instant/articles/detail/318569-香港-【特首選戰】林鄭指23條立法屬憲制責任+惟應審時度勢

Commentary (评论)

Zhou Qiang on judicial independence, the separation of powers, and constitutional democracy
REACH, January 15, 2017
https://china-research.net/2017/01/15/zhou-qiang-jiang-ping-and-he-weifang-debate-judicial-independence-the-separation-of-powers-and-constitutional-democracy/

Related:
China’s Chief Justice’s extraordinary statement: The most enormous ideological setback for a professional judiciary
Jerry’s Blog, January 17, 2017
http://www.jeromecohen.net/jerrys-blog/chinas-chief-justices-extraordinary-statement

The People’s Court Daily on independent adjudication
REACH, January 16, 2017
https://china-research.net/2017/01/16/the-peoples-court-daily-on-independent-adjudication/

旗帜鲜明地维护和落实依法独立审判的宪法原则 (Taking a clear-cut stance on protecting and realizing the constitutional principle of independent adjudication)
People’s Court Daily, January 16, 2017
http://www.rmfyb.com/paper/html/2017-01/16/content_120886.htm?div=-1

《关于司法机关独立的基本原则》被联合国大会1985年第40/32号决议和40/146号决议认可。《关于司法机关独立的基本原则：实施程序》由联合国经济及社会理事会第1989/60号决议通过，成员国必须遵守。中国是联合国常任理事国有责任和义务在实施这些原则与制度方面采取行动和作出表率 https://t.co/efqop3V5zZ

— 刘晓原律师 (@liu_xiaoyuan) January 15, 2017