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, August 13, 2021

Xinjiang (新疆)

Hi-tech tools may keep forced-labour goods out of US market as top brands brace for Xinjiang ban
South China Morning Post, August 13, 2021

Tibet (西藏)

美国记者秘访藏区:“我一分钟都不想活在中国人的压迫下”(American journalist’s secret visits in Tibetan areas: "I don't want to live under Chinese oppression for one minute")
Radio Free Asia, August 12, 2021

Access to Justice (司法公正)

‘I pray for her’: Australian broadcaster Cheng Lei no closer to release a year after being detained in China
The Guardian, August 12, 2021

女权人士李翘楚案已经移送检察院审查起诉 律师会见申请及羁押必要性审查申请均遭驳回(Case of feminist Li Qiaochu has reached the procuratorate; lawyer is denied meeting and review of grounds for detention)
Weiquanwang, August 13, 2021

耿和(高智晟律师妻子):8.13高智晟被绑架四年家属声明(Lawyer Gao Zhisheng’s wife Geng He: Statement on 4th anniversary of Gao Zhisheng’s kidnapping)
Weiquanwang, August 13, 2021

澳关注华裔记者被拘一年 代表律师至今无法会面(Australia is concerned over Chinese-Australian journalist’s year-long detention with no access to lawyer)
Radio Free Asia, August 13, 2021

Access to Information (公众知情权)

Two Chinese activists sentenced to 15 months’ jail for archiving censored internet material
South China Morning Post, August 13, 2021

Researchers Spot Deep Fake Profile Photos Linked to Pro-China Twitter Accounts
Radio Free Asia, August 12, 2021

世卫吁中国分享原始数据 北京:反对政治溯源(WHO urges China to share raw data on early Covid-19 cases; Beijing opposes “politically-motivated” COVID origin probe)
Deutsche Welle, August 13, 2021

Government Accountability (政府问责)

China rejects need for further WHO probe into COVID-19 origins
Agence France-Presse, August 13, 2021

瑞士外交部:中国假新闻错误报道影响大(Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Disinformation by China via fake news has great impact)
Radio Free Asia, August 12, 2021

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

China tech crackdown: Beijing’s soft touch on tax for Big Tech is set to end as it seeks more focus on science
South China Morning Post, August 13, 2021

Are suspensions on new users a big deal for Chinese tech?
Protocol, August 12, 2021

Alibaba Rape Allegation Reveals China Tech’s Seamy Side
阿里性侵丑闻再揭中国科技业阴暗面

The New York Times, August 12, 2021

Hong Kong (香港)

Record number of uncontested seats for Hong Kong Election Committee polls – and Li Ka-shing is not throwing his hat into ring, for the first time since 1997
South China Morning Post, August 12, 2021

Beijing-controlled paper labels Hong Kong press union an ‘anti-govt political organisation’
Hong Kong Free Press, August 13, 2021

Related:
Fears About National Security Law Chill Hong Kong Media
Voice of America, August 12, 2021

Hong Kong activists, unions vow to fight on ahead of expected break-up of protest group
South China Morning Post, August 13, 2021

Hong Kong prosecutor leading national security law case against 47 opposition figures takes key justice department role
South China Morning Post, August 13, 2021

Hong Kong activist charged under security law was given ‘benefit of the doubt’ over bail application: judge
Hong Kong Free Press, August 12, 2021

Hong Kong court denies ex-Apple Daily chief editor bail in national security case
Hong Kong Free Press, August 12, 2021

國安法指定法官彭寶琴升官 獲委任高院上訴庭法官(National security designated judge Anthea Pang is promoted as judge at Court of Appeal of the High Court)
Stand News, August 13, 2021

新生註冊前夕 港大派員清除學生會物品(HKU clears up students' union trace before freshmen registration)
Stand News, August 13, 2021

【英國專訪】曾覺離港太荒謬的傳媒人 Steve Vines:沒遇過更惡劣情況,不敢想起永不能回港(Steve Vines—Ex-RTHK English program host who once thought leaving HK was absurd: Never experienced anything worse, and dare not think of never returning to HK)
Stand News , August 13, 2021

辭職後留守 民主派前區議員開舖、賣酒續做區 「唔想公民社會崩潰得太誇張」(Resigned pro-democracy district councilors continue to serve their communities; some turn offices into stores)
Stand News , August 13, 2021

‘Can we ever return?’ Tears and heartbreak as Hongkongers leave for a new life in the UK
The Guardian, August 13, 2021

Related:
Hong Kong saw net outflow of 90,000 residents over the last year
Agence France-Presse, August 12, 2021

醫管局憂移民挖角令醫護流失 組織料流失率進一步上升(Hospital Authority faces outflow of medical staff amid wave of emigration, expects worsening situation)

Roll-out of Britain’s visa scheme for Hong Kong BN(O) passport holders ‘slow’ and ‘inefficient’, shadow minister for Asia says
South China Morning Post, August 13, 2021

Commentary (评论)

Belarus and Hong Kong Are Building the 21st Century’s Berlin Walls
Foreign Policy, August 13, 2021