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.

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Xinjiang (新疆)

Commons to vote on declaration of genocide in Xinjiang province
The Guardian, April 14, 2021

Exclusive | Xinjiang cotton ban, forced labour claims push China to step up plans for domestic Better Cotton Initiative
South China Morning Post, April 15, 2021

Taiwan (台湾)

Taiwan says China’s activities threaten regional stability
Al Jazeera, April 15, 2021

Related:
Taiwan and China Are Locked in Economic Co-Dependence
The Diplomat, April 14, 2021

Access to Information (公众知情权)

Beijing Revises 'Correct' Version of Party History Ahead of Centenary
Radio Free Asia, April 15, 2021

Related:
新版《党史》淡化文革,颂习内容占四分之一 (New version of CPC history downplays Cultural Revolution; devotes one-quarter to praises for Xi Jinping)
Radio Free Asia, April 15, 2021

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

中国女权运动再遭打压 运动人士忧“政治污名化”(In renewed crackdown on China's feminist movement, activists fear "political stigma")
Deutsche Welle, April 15, 2021

Her Boss Sent Harassing Texts. So She Beat Him With a Mop.
黑龙江女公务员不堪上司性骚扰,用拖把殴打回击

The New York Times, April 15, 2021

Government Accountability (政府问责)

Whitsun Reef: Philippines files new diplomatic protest against China
South China Morning Post, April 14, 2021

Related:
Chinese, US Military Exercises Are New Norm in Disputed Asian Sea
Voice of America, April 14, 2021

Will Japan Confront China? A Visit to Washington May Offer a Clue.
The New York Times, April 14, 2021

美报告提出应对中俄专制威胁策略,建议拜登政府制定国家民主战略(U.S. report urges Biden administration to formulate national democratic strategy as response to threat of authoritarianism from China, Russia)
Voice of America, April 15, 2021

Related:
Reversing the Tide: Towards a New US Strategy to Support Democracy and Counter Authoritarianism
Freedom House, April 14, 2021

收到电视认罪受害者投诉 挪威断播中国环球电视CGTN (Norway cuts off CGTN after receiving complaints from victims of forced TV confessions)
Radio France Internationale, April 14, 2021

Related:
大外宣遇挑战:强迫电视认罪受害者吁全球电视供应商采取行动(Challenge to China’s external propaganda: Victims of forced TV confessions call on global TV suppliers to take action)
Radio France Internationale, April 14, 2021

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

Is Alibaba's fate a warning to China’s tech giants?
British Broadcasting Corporation, April 15, 2021

Related:
China’s Tech Crackdown Isn’t About Xi Vs. Ma
Protocol, April 15, 2021

Hong Kong (香港)

Hong Kong’s new Election Committee gets packed with even more Beijing allies, removing risks of uncertain outcome in chief executive race
South China Morning Post, April 15, 2021

Related:
Hong Kong legal sector influence ‘diluted’ in Election Committee under election revamp plan, says lawmaker
Hong Kong Free Press, April 15, 2021

Criminalising encouraging Hong Kong voters to boycott elections or spoil ballots will create ‘real constitutional problems’, legal experts warn
South China Morning Post, April 15, 2021

楊岳橋郭家麒譚文豪李予信四人提出解散公民黨(Four former Civil Party lawmakers who are among the 47 pro-democracy figures charged under National Security Law suggest disbandment of the party)
Radio Television Hong Kong, April 15, 2021

Hong Kong protests: trio’s mere presence at National Day unrest makes them guilty of rioting, judge rules
South China Morning Post, April 15, 2021

Related:
China reveals foreigner jailed for 11 years, mainland students arrested over Hong Kong protests
South China Morning Post, April 15, 2021

Hong Kong children schooled in national security as city ‘celebrates’ new laws
The Guardian, April 15, 2021

Related:
National Security Education Day: China will teach interfering foreign forces a lesson, says Beijing’s top man in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Free Press, April 15, 2021

HKU bid to protect freedom amid law fears
The Standard, April 15, 2021

EU mulls end to extradition treaties with China over Hong Kong electoral reform, but not every member state agrees
South China Morning Post, April 15, 2021

彭定康率 103 名英國會議員去信英揆 要求制裁香港官員(Chris Patten and 103 UK MPs call for sanction of Hong Kong officials)
Stand News, April 15, 2021

Related:
Patten-led group of over 100 MPs + Peers call for sanctions on HK officials
Hong Kong Watch, April 14, 2021

Commentary (评论)

New Hong Kong electoral offence risks backfiring amid ‘blank vote’ furore
South China Morning Post, April 14, 2021