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, December 12, 2018

Xinjiang (新疆)

旅居美國内地著名環境攝影師盧廣於新疆被公安拘捕 (Photographer Lu Guang confirmed arrested by Xinjiang authorities, denied family visit)
Radio Television Hong Kong, December 12, 2018

Related:
消失的摄影师:卢广镜头下的中国
A photographer goes missing in China: Lu Guang’s images have shown the world China’s dark side.
The New York Times, December 11, 2018

Concerns rise as Muslim crackdown broadens
China Digital Times, December 11, 2018

Access to Justice (司法公正)

International Crisis Group adviser Michael Kovrig detained in China, NGO says
Hong Kong Free Press, December 11, 2018

Related:
美国谴责中国拘捕加拿大人,再发赴中旅游警告 (U.S. condemns arbitrary detention of Canadian ex-diplomat, warns visitors of possible reprisals)
Voice of America, December 12, 2018

Canada working to secure release of ex-diplomat Michael Kovrig detained in China
Agence France-Presse, December 12, 2018

当局压黄琦认罪 黄母疑遭软禁 (Huang Qi pressured to make confession, mother Pu Wenqing is suspected under house arrest)
Radio Free Asia, December 11, 2018

What does the Supreme People’s Court’s new judicial transparency policy mean?
Supreme People’s Court Monitor, December 11, 2018

Access to Information (信息公开)

Former prime minister of Australia defends free media after China complains about coverage
ABC Net, December 11, 2018

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

中国成都家庭教会百人被捕 非官方教会再受打压 (More than a hundred arrested in Chengdu family church
BBC News, December 12, 2018

Related:
Minitrue: No reports on Chengdu church crackdown
China Digital Times, December 10, 2018

Rights group calls on China to release 32 Jasic workers, Maoist supporters
Radio Free Asia, December 11, 2018

Related:
HRIC urges international attention on 32 Jasic workers and supporters detained, disappeared
Human Rights in China, December 7, 2018

My brother’s keeper: A proposal for “dual key” accounts to preserve Twitter’s voices of freedom
China Change, December 11, 2018

Related:
Crackdown in Beijing: “Using Twitter is more dangerous than street demonstrations”
Global Voices, December 11, 2018

Detained Chinese pastor: Xi’s god-like status “incompatible with the Christian faith”
Wall Street Journal, December 10, 2018

Government Accountability (政府问责)

From doves to hawks: Why the U.S.’ moderate China watchers are growing sceptical about Beijing
South China Morning Post, December 12, 2018

Beijing’s population: Better-educated, fewer migrants, and facing an aging crisis
Caixin, December 11, 2018

Men detained for burning “low-quality” coal. Is another heating crisis imminent?
SupChina, December 11, 2018

The Huawei arrest: How it likely happened and what comes next
Just Security, December 10, 2018

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

Google CEO Sundar Pichai refuses to rule out censored Chinese search engine
The Guardian, December 11, 2018

Related:
Rights groups turn up pressure on Google over China censorship ahead of Congressional hearing
The Intercept, December 11, 2018

“No” to a Google search engine with Chinese characteristics—Not “right now” or ever
Human Rights in China, December 11, 2018

Google’s plan for a censored search engine in China is an affront to human rights
Hong Kong Free Press, December 11, 2018

Open letter: Over 50 NGOs urge Google not to aid China’s censorship and surveillance regime
Hong Kong Free Press, December 11, 2018

China’s electric cars are government spies
Quartz, December 11, 2018

Hong Kong (香港)

BREAKING: Insufficient evidence to convict ex-Hong Kong leader CY Leung of $50million deal, says Dept. of Justice
Hong Kong Free Press, December 12, 2018

Related:
Hong Kong won’t prosecute ex-leader over claims of conflict of interest
The New York Times, December 12, 2018

【佔中九子案】戴耀廷犯人欄內結案陳詞:若我有罪,罪名是散播希望 (Benny Tai’s closing submission: If I am guilty, my crime is spreading hope)
Inmediahk.net, December 12, 2018

Related:
“I will never give up”: Law professor Benny Tai takes the stand in trial of 2014 pro-democracy activists
Hong Kong Free Press, December 12, 2018

建制狙擊港台 何君堯倡與新聞處合併 何俊賢促扣薪對付踩紅線 (Pro-Beijing camp attacks RTHK, proposes salary reduction to “punish” acts that cross red line)
The Stand News, December 12, 2018

Leaders of banned Hong Kong National Party to face three-man Exco panel for appeal
South China Morning Post, December 12, 2018

Commentary (评论)

The year China's luck ran dry
Channel NewsAsia, December 12, 2018

抵抗中國不只是「國家安全」問題,更是全人類必須共同面對的「人類安全」問題 (Resisting China is not only a matter of “national security”, but a “human security” challenge for all humans)
The News Lens, December 12, 2018

What France’s “yellow vests” can teach Hong Kong activists about political protests and the use of violence
South China Morning Post, December 11, 2018

互联网可能分裂成四块
The internet risks fracturing into quarters
Financial Times, December 12, 2018