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.

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Xinjiang (新疆)

US-China relations: forced labour to keep pressure on Chinese textile firms as American firms cut orders
South China Morning Post, February 16, 2021

Japan's Muji Stops Short of Ban on Cotton From Xinjiang, Where Forced Labor is Rife
Radio Free Asia, February 12, 2021

Tibet (西藏)

As in Xinjiang, China is tightening its grip in Tibet
The Economist, February 13, 2021

Access to Justice (司法公正)

中国人权律师余文生狱中荣获国际人权奖 (Imprisoned Chinese human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng is honored with 2021 Martin Ennals Award)
Voice of America, February 12, 2021

Related:
Yu Wensheng named Martin Ennals Award Laureate 2021
Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders, February 11,2021

Access to Information (公众知情权)

China bans BBC World News in retaliation for UK licence blow
The Guardian, February 11, 2021

Related:
China: Statement by the Spokesperson on the BBC ban
European Union, February 12, 2021

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

Lunar New Year: mindful of national security law, Hong Kong festival market stalls opt for subtle messages on products
South China Morning Post, February 12, 2021

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

中共四处收集基因数据 用DNA管控维族人遭诟病 (As China uses DNA technology for surveillance and control of Uyghurs in Xinjiang, its global DNA data collection sparks concerns)
Voice of America, February 16, 2021

人脸识别把人变成“透明人” 中共极权监控下人人自危 (With facial recognition, everyone is “naked” under CPC surveillance)
Voice of America, February 12, 2021

网传中国协助缅甸军政府建防火墙 数字监控走出国门? (Questions of China’s role in Myanmar Internet shutdown mount, along with those on China’s export of surveillance technology)
Radio Free Asia, February 12, 2021

Government Accountability (政府问责)

On W.H.O. Trip, China Refused to Hand Over Important Data
The New York Times, February 14, 2021

Related:
US and WHO push China for data from early days of contagion
Agence France Presse, February 14, 2021

Anatomy of a conspiracy: With COVID, China took leading role
Associated Press, February 15, 2021

China’s Crackdown on Muslims Extends to a Resort Island
The New York Times, February 14, 2021

At least 331 human rights defenders were murdered in 2020, report finds
The Guardian, February 11, 2021

US-China relations: Details released of Biden's first call with Xi
British Broadcasting Corporation, February 11, 2021

Hong Kong (香港)

Veteran Hong Kong activists on trial over huge democracy rally
Agence France Presse, February 16, 2021

Hong Kong protests: former opposition lawmakers plead guilty to roles in illegal 2019 march, face up to 5 years in jail
South China Morning Post, February 16, 2021

Hong Kong: alarm over proposed law that could ban anyone from leaving
Agence France Presse, February 13, 2021

Related:
Further Submission of the Hong Kong Bar Association on the Immigration (Amendment) Bill 2020 In respect of Clause 3 of the Bill
Hong Kong Bar Association, February 11, 2021

Hong Kong public broadcaster RTHK’s ban on BBC programming sparks questions over press freedom and ‘one country, two systems’
South China Morning Post, February 12, 2021

Explainer | National security law: what you need to know about the decision to hold a trial without a jury
South China Morning Post, February 11, 2021

台灣「促進轉型正義委員會」疑被港「封網」 經 VPN 仍可瀏覽 保安局、警方拒絕評論 (Taiwan’s Transitional Justice Commission website is reportedly blocked in Hong Kong; Security Bureau and Police refuse to comment)
The Stand News, February 12, 2021

奔向自由,香港青年只身跨越半个地球逃亡美国 (The Hong Kong youth who traveled half the globe to seek freedom in the U.S.)
Voice of America, February 12, 2021

Commentary (评论)

Forget stability in the Year of the Ox, it’s time to challenge Hong Kong’s status quo
Hong Kong Free Press, February 14, 2021

Revoking of lawyers’ licences creates a chilling effect
South China Morning Post Editorial, February 13, 2021

The Long-Term Implications of the Jimmy Lai Bail Decision
The Diplomat, February 11, 2021

中共数字威权主义的最终目标:培养自我审查的“和谐新人类” (The ultimate agenda of China’s digital authoritarianism: Cultivate a self-censoring “new, harmonious humankind”)
Voice of America, February 12, 2021