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, March 31, 2021

Xinjiang (新疆)

BBC China correspondent John Sudworth moves to Taiwan after threats
British Broadcasting Corporation, March 31, 2021

The cost of speaking up against China
British Broadcasting Corporation, March 31, 2021

H&M’s latest statement on Xinjiang cotton is very careful not to mention Xinjiang
The Quartz, March 31, 2021

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Wuhan citizen journalist Chen Qiushi under surveillance but may escape prosecution
South China Morning Post, March 31, 2021

Access to Information (公众知情权)

国际学者联名谴责中国制裁欧洲中国问题学者 (More than 400 academics condemn China's sanctions of British scholar)
Radio Free Asia, March 30, 2021

Related:
China denounced over ‘grave threat to academic freedom’
The Times, March 29, 2021

Government Accountability (政府问责)

U.S. human rights report blasts China over Uighurs, Russia's targeting of Navalny
Reuters, March 30, 2021

Related:
Secretary Antony J. Blinken On Release of the 2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
U.S. Department of State, March 30, 2021

2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: China (Includes Hong Kong, Macau, and Tibet)
U.S. Department of State, March 30, 2021

Serbia Hails Chinese Companies as Saviors, but Locals Chafe at Costs
塞尔维亚称赞中国公司为救星,但当地人付出了代价

The New York Times, March 31, 2021

W.H.O. Inquiry on the Pandemic’s Origin: What We Know
关于世卫新冠溯源调查报告,我们知道些什么

The New York Times, March 31, 2021

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

Chinese Big Tech's shadiest practices
Protocol, March 31, 2021

Hong Kong (香港)

Hong Kong’s electoral overhaul goes much deeper than quashing anti-China opposition, it’s pushing city to mirror mainland ways, analysts say
South China Morning Post, March 31, 2021

China’s Overhaul of Hong Kong Elections Gives Security Bodies a Key Role
香港新选举制度将带来哪些影响?

The New York Times, March 31, 2021

Related:
Will Hong Kong’s new post of chief convenor of election committee in political shake-up create another power centre?
South China Morning Post, March 31, 2021

National security police will act on legal breaches found when screening election candidate, Hong Kong legislature told
Hong Kong Free Press, March 31, 2021

U.S. condemns China moves to further reduce Hong Kong political participation
Reuters, March 31, 2021

Mystery lawyer appears in court for Hong Kong activist Andy Li, but family still don’t know where he is
Hong Kong Free Press, March 31, 2021

Hong Kong security law: Defendant in first trial files bid to overturn ‘no jury’ decision
Hong Kong Free Press, March 31, 2021

Hong Kong’s liberal studies to be renamed ‘citizenship and social development’ as part of massive overhaul
South China Morning Post, March 31, 2021

Related:
How Hong Kong lost its academic freedom in 2020
Global Voices, March 30, 2021

Exclusive: Hong Kong public broadcaster RTHK seeks to withdraw from journalism awards
Hong Kong Free Press, March 31, 2021

Related:
記協對港台暫不參與新聞獎表示極度遺憾(Hong Kong Journalists Association expresses regret over RTHK’s withdrawal from journalism awards)
Radio Television Hong Kong, March 31, 2021

記協聲明(Hong Kong Journalists Association statement)
Hong Kong Journalists Association, March 31, 2021

林卓廷辭任北區區議員(Ex-lawmaker Lam Cheuk-ting, one of the 47 pro-democracy politicians detained, resigns from his North district councilor post)
Stand News, March 31, 2021

Commentary (评论)

Shielding Corporate Interests, Europe Leaves NGOs Working in China by the Wayside
ChinaFile, March 30, 2021

Lord Patten: through changing HK's electoral system "the CCP has shown the world once again that it cannot be trusted."
Hong Kong Watch, March 30, 2021