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.

Monday, May 24, 2021

Xinjiang (新疆)

A Chinese hacking competition may have given Beijing new ways to spy on the Uyghurs
The Conversation, May 22, 2021

Taiwan (台湾)

Taiwan Says China is Spreading Fake News During COVID Spike
Voice of America, May 21, 2021

Tibet (西藏)

China’s Tibet Communist Party chief targets religion and separatism
South China Morning Post, May 22, 2021

Access to Justice (司法公正)

China: Immediately release activist Xing Wangli and end reprisals against rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong
Chinese Human Rights Defenders, May 24, 2021

沈良庆案件通报:关押近两年仍不宣判 狱中身体状况堪忧(Two years in custody and awaiting trial verdict, dissident Shen Liangqing in failing health)
Weiquanwang, May 23, 2021

在新疆伊犁新源县哈拉布拉监狱内服刑的新疆博乐残疾维权人士姜志林已病危(Jiang Zhilin, disabled rights activist in Bole, Xinjiang who is serving 8-year sentence, is critically ill)
Weiquanwang, May 22, 2021

梵蒂冈:多位神职人员在中国被捕(Vatican: Several clergymen are arrested in China)
Deutsche Welle, May 23, 2021

Related:
China arrests Vatican-approved bishop, priests, seminarians
Union of Catholic Asian News, May 24, 2021

China to Try Australian on Spy Charge, Adding to Diplomatic Tensions
中国将以间谍罪起诉澳籍华裔作家杨恒均

The New York Times, May 24, 2021

Access to Information (公众知情权)

China Holds Social Media Users Over 'Insults' to Hybrid Rice Hero
Radio Free Asia, May 24, 2021

北京等多省市网民涉“侮辱袁隆平”遭刑拘 民众不满袁被过度神化(Netizens are detained for criticizing official deification of Yuan Longping, China’s “father of hybrid rice”)
Radio Free Asia, May 24, 2021

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

女权行动者发声 批当局以爱国为名强化网络暴力(China’s feminist activists voice criticism of authorities for intensifying cyber violence in the name of patriotism)
Voice of America, May 23, 2021

Hong Kong (香港)

Beijing to expand Hong Kong office with two new departments focusing on national security and propaganda
South China Morning Post, May 24, 2021

‘I admit no wrongdoing’: Hong Kong democrats deliver mitigation plea over banned 2019 National Day demo
Hong Kong Free Press, May 24, 2021

Hong Kong judges told they need ‘accurate understanding’ of Chinese constitution and its impact on city during Beijing trip
South China Morning Post, May 21, 2021

Hong Kong Police Force to assess job applicants for patriotism, values, commitment to serve city
South China Morning Post, May 24, 2021

Future sours for Hong Kong’s brazen Apple Daily tabloid
Agence France-Presse, May 24, 2021

Related:
遭警檢走大批文件 壹傳媒指資料與國安罪行無關 超出手令範圍 入稟要求警方交還(Next Media files for return of documents unrelated to national security confiscated in last year's raid)
Stand News, May 24, 2021

港台稱刪議事論事片段因製作團隊未按管理機制徵詢意見(RTHK deletes portions of "LegCo Review" program from online platforms citing production team’s failure in following editorial management procedure)
Radio Television Hong Kong, May 24, 2021

Hong Kong electoral reforms: Carrie Lam the TV host – did she nail it or was talk show a propaganda bid?
South China Morning Post, May 23, 2021

Another Hong Kong democrat facing national security charge quits politics
Hong Kong Free Press, May 24, 2021

區議員宣誓修例今生效 公民黨堅摩區議員黃健菁辭職 6.1 起不再參與政治(District councilors oath-taking law takes effect; Civic Party Cherry Wong resigns and quits politics on June 1)
Stand News, May 21, 2021

Related:
鄭梓健辭任黃大仙區議員 承認敵不過恐懼 (Cheng Tsz-kin resigns from Wong Tai Sin district councilor post, admits being outmatched by fear)
inmedia.hk, May 24, 2021

據了解「爆眼少女」被列8.11 尖沙咀暴動案受查對象 O 記跟進  事主已離港(Police targets nurse whose right eye was shot by a bean bag round for investigation, but believe she has fled Hong Kong)
Stand News, May 24, 2021

Hong Kong police arrest busker who was singing protest song for ‘public disorder’
Hong Kong Free Press, May 24, 2021

要求國安教育納大學必修 教資會:有責任提醒大學法律要求,實行方式由大學作主(University Grants Commission asks universities to make national security education compulsory)
Stand News, May 24, 2021

‘Mean’ and punishing? Hongkongers in Taiwan see move to close city’s office on island as abandonment while Covid-19, political row rage
South China Morning Post, May 22, 2021

Government Accountability (政府问责)

Is China’s Belt and Road Initiative a Threat to the US?
The Diplomat, May 22, 2021

华尔街日报披露美情报机构报告更多细节,武毒所再次成为病毒泄露怀疑目标(WSJ reveals more details from U.S. intelligence report, renewing suspicion that Wuhan Lab was source of virus leak)
Voice of America, May 24, 2021

Related:
Intelligence on Sick Staff at Wuhan Lab Fuels Debate on Covid-19 Origin
The Wall Street Journal, May 23, 2021

Commentary (评论)

Trials heard without a jury should only be a last resort
South China Morning Post, May 23, 2021

Leader Carrie Lam must not let the memory of the Tiananmen Massacre die in Hong Kong on her watch
Hong Kong Free Press, May 22, 2021

The Chinese Are Coming – to Taiwan?
The Diplomat, May 23, 2021