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 17, 2020

Access to Information (公众知情权)

China denies cover-up as Wuhan coronavirus deaths revised up 50%
The Guardian, April 17, 2020

武汉在质疑声中修改了疫情死亡数字 (Facing rising questions, Wuhan revises COVID-19 death toll)
Voice of America, April 17, 2020

“武汉病毒来自美国”已深入民间 反向宣传病毒论民信以为真 (Chinese people believe government propaganda: “COVID-19 originated from U.S.")
Radio Free Asia, April 17, 2020

"北京有点热” 网民曲笔嘲讽中国言论空间受限 (Critic of government restrictions on speech posts message: “Beijing is a little bit hot"; netizens attack her as spreading rumor)
Radio Free Asia, April 17, 2020

Government Accountability (政府问责)

黑龙江:对疫情防控不力18名党员干部和公职人员追责问责 (Heilongjiang: 18 cadres, public officials held accountable for weak prevention and control of COVID-19 epidemic)
The Paper, April 17, 2020

Hong Kong (香港)

Hong Kong police have duty to aid, not hinder media, journalist union argues before High Court
South China Morning Post, April 17, 2020

Hong Kong activists Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow mount legal challenge over warrants obtained by police to search phones and Facebook office
South China Morning Post, April 17, 2020

中聯辦:「兩辦」不受基本法廿二條限制 可在香港行使監督權 警告議員要為損香港利益「埋單」 (Liaison Office says it and State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office are not “departments” but “representatives” of the central government, thus have power of supervision over Hong Kong; warns LegCo members of “the price” of harming HK's interests)
The Stand News, April 17, 2020

油尖旺區議會通過「重組警隊」議案  警方代表離場 斥議員仇警、食人血饅頭 (Police representative accuses motion passed by Yau Tsim Mong District Council to rebuild Hong Kong Police Force as “hate-filled” and “making political gains on police's misfortune”)
The Stand News, April 17, 2020