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, December 18, 2017

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Thousands in China watch as 10 people sentenced to death in sport stadium
The Guardian, December 18, 2017
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/18/thousands-china-watch-executed-sport-stadium

人格权或单独成编入民法典 个人信息保护立法加速 (Personality Rights may included in Civil Code, speeding up protection to the right to privacy)
Legal Daily, December 18, 2017
http://news.sina.com.cn/c/nd/2017-12-18/doc-ifyptkyk5087704.shtml

China's Uighur minority shackled by digital technology as thousands are detained for “vocational training”
The Independent, December 17, 2017
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/thousands-china-xinjiang-uighur-beijing-disappear-fears-authorities-thought-police-personal-safety-a8115421.html

中共中央办公厅 国务院办公厅印发《生态环境损害赔偿制度改革方案》
China to expand pilot reform in ecological damage compensation
Xinhua News Agency, December 17, 2017
EN:http://english.sina.com/china/e/2017-12-18/detail-ifypsvkp4229640.shtml
CH:http://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2017-12/17/content_5247952.htm

Hua Yong: Detained Chinese artist's emotional last video
British Broadcasting Company, December 16, 2017
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-42379722

Related:

华涌拍摄“低端人口”被驱逐视频遭抓捕 公民上街举牌声援(Hua Yong, activist artist who filmed Beijing mass eviction is arrested, citizens call for his release)
Radio Free Asia, December 17, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/yf-12172017095716.html

Access to Information (信息公开)

中宣部號召文藝界做「紅色輕騎兵」 學者:仿效毛時代 料爛尾收場(China Publicity Department asks cultural groups to serve as “Red Light Cavalry”, scholars anticipate the plan is likely to fall apart)
Ming Pao, December 18, 2017
https://news.mingpao.com/pns/dailynews/web_tc/article/20171218/s00013/1513534057684

作品諷時政 京強撤思想藝術展 剩「半條被子」 藝術家:間接宣傳(Beijing art exhibition that criticize current affairs largely banned)
Ming Pao, December 17, 2017
https://news.mingpao.com/pns/dailynews/web_tc/article/20171217/s00013/1513446564917

Government Accountability (政府问责)

Fighting pollution: China shivers as shift from coal to gas plagued by shortages
Agence France-Presse, December 18, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/12/18/fighting-pollution-china-shivers-shift-coal-gas-plagued-shortages/

Related:

China has won battles against air pollution, but not the war
The Economist, December 14, 2017
https://www.economist.com/news/china/21732581-fierce-restrictions-use-coal-have-got-it-only-so-far-china-has-won-battles-against-air

Hong Kong (香港)

Localist Edward Leung leaves Hong Kong Indigenous in light of upcoming trial
Hong Kong Free Press, December 18, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/12/18/localist-edward-leung-leaves-hong-kong-indigenous-light-upcoming-trial/

泛民或提司法覆核 李慧琼:人大有釋法權利 (Pan-Dem consider to file judicial review against LegCo rule change, DAB’s Starry Lee said the NPCSC can re-interpret the Basic Law)
Mingpao, December 18, 2017
https://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20171218/s00001/1513565128456

Related:

Hong Kong lawmaker promises more extreme action after legislature rule changes curb filibustering
South China Morning Post, December 17, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2124686/hong-kong-lawmaker-promises-extreme-action-after-legislature

Two Hong Kong students kicked out of graduation ceremony after not standing for national anthem
South China Morning Post, December 18, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/2124697/two-hong-kong-students-kicked-out-graduation-ceremony-after

外傭團體遊行促正視移民工權益及濫收中介費問題 (Migrant groups demonstrated demanding fair treatment and stop overcharging from agencies)
Radio Television Hong Kong, December 17, 2017
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1370507-20171217.htm

Commentary (评论)

As Christmas decorations highlight inequality, what are Hong Kong’s officials doing about the poor?
Hong Kong Free Press, December 18, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/12/18/christmas-decorations-highlight-inequality-hong-kongs-officials-poor/

「一國一制」真的好 (“One Country One System is good”)
Ming Pao, December 18, 2017
https://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20171218/s00022/1513516226297

Can Environmental Lawsuits in China Succeed?
China File, December 14, 2017
http://www.chinafile.com/reporting-opinion/viewpoint/can-environmental-lawsuits-china-succeed

How China’s “sharp power” is muting criticism abroad
The Economist, December 14, 2017
https://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21732545-and-stealthily-trying-shape-public-opinion-its-favour-how-chinas-sharp-power-muting

Inside China's vast new experiment in social ranking
Wired, December 14, 2017
https://www.wired.com/story/age-of-social-credit/

Friday, December 15, 2017

Access to Justice (司法公正)

"I live like a plant": Chinese dissident’s widow Liu Xia sends desperate letter
Agence France-Presse, December 15, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/12/15/i-live-like-plant-chinese-dissidents-widow-liu-xia-sends-desperate-letter/

China corrects 37 wrongful convictions for 61 people: white paper
中国人权法治化保障的新进展
Xinhua News Agency, December 15, 2017
EN:http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-12/15/c_136827952.htm
CH:http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-12/15/c_136827952.htm

男子制作传播侮辱成吉思汗挂像视频 被判有期徒刑 (Man sentenced to 1 year in prison for treading on picture of Genghis Khan and sharing video of it on social media)
Ordos city police, December 15, 2017
http://news.sina.com.cn/c/nd/2017-12-15/doc-ifyptkyk4573828.shtml

Chinese security guards beat South Korean journalists in shocking footage from Beijing trade fair
Newsweek, December 14, 2017
http://www.newsweek.com/chinese-security-guards-attack-south-korean-press-covering-president-moon-jae-747889/

投身NGO指导网民突破封锁 广东甄江华因涉嫌煽颠被监视居住 (Guangdong-based activist Zhen Jianghua under “residential surveillance at designated location” for inciting subversion)
Radio Free Asia, December 14, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/gf1-12142017131756.html

广东及北京等地家庭教会遭驱赶 (Home churches in Guangdong and Beijing harassed and evicted)
Radio Free Asia, December 14, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/shehui/ql2-12142017131110.html

Access to Information (信息公开)

Communist Party, military among latest to promote Xi Jinping’s political ideology in “thought” centres
South China Morning Post, December 15, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2124406/communist-party-military-among-latest-promote-xi/

Related:

10家习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究中心(院)成立 (10 research centers and institutes of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era set up across China)
People’s Daily, December 15, 2017
http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrb/html/2017-12/15/nw.D110000renmrb_20171215_2-04.htm

奥威尔的预言与毛时代的回归:严密监控下的中国 (Orwell’s prophecy and retuning of Mao’s era: China under tight surveillance)
Voice of America, December 15, 2017
https://www.voachinese.com/a/china-state-surveillance-20171214/4164853.html

南京清「餘毒」 銷毁前書記撰序史書 (Nanjing destroys history books prefaced by corrupt former party secretary)
Mingpao, December 15, 2017
https://news.mingpao.com/pns/dailynews/web_tc/article/20171215/s00013/1513275212291

中國佛教協會高僧:十九大報告是當代佛經 已手抄3遍要再抄10遍 (Deputy of Buddhist Association of China says report of 19th party congress is modern-day Buddhist sutra and he will hand-copy it for 13 times)
HK01, December 14, 2017
http://bit.ly/2zdQlPq

China has 41 journalists behind bars amid ever-widening media controls centers
全球关押新闻工作者再创新高 中国排名第二
Radio Free Asia, December 14, 2017
EN: http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/china-has-41-journalists-behind-bars-amid-ever-widening-media-controls-12142017103536.html
CH: http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/survey-12142017071139.html

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

Beijing mass evictions continue in wake of second fatal fire
北京十八里店乡火灾后“低端人口”再遭暴力驱逐 公民联署敦促蔡奇辞职
Radio Free Asia, December 14, 2017
EN:http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/beijing-evictions-12142017104315.html
CH:http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/yf1-12142017131428.html

National Security & Counterterrorism (国家安全和反恐)

"中国之长臂"伸向海外 输出专制并捏造形象 (“Long arm of China” exports authoritarianism)
Voice of America, December 15, 2017
https://www.voachinese.com/a/cecc-hearing-china-long-arm-20171215/4164961.html

Related:
The long arm of China: exporting authoritarianism with Chinese characteristics
Congressional-Executive Commission on China, December 13, 2017
https://www.cecc.gov/events/hearings/the-long-arm-of-china-exporting-authoritarianism-with-chinese-characteristics

Hong Kong (香港)

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam gets pat on the back from premier Li Keqiang for “proactive” governance and pushing bay area plan
South China Morning Post, December 15, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2124461/hong-kong-leader-carrie-lam-hailed-premier-li-keqiang

Lawmaker barred for the day as battle over change of legislature’s house rules nears end
Hong Kong Free Press, December 15, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/12/15/lawmaker-barred-day-battle-change-legislatures-house-rules-nears-end/

Top pick for new HKU vice-chancellor faces questions over research links to US military
South China Morning Post, December 15, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/2124429/professor-questions-suitability-top-pick-next-hku-head

Related:

張翔晤港大教職員 與會者引述張稱不反對學術討論港獨 (Zhang Xiang, new head of HKU, meets with staff and says he doesn’t oppose academic discussion on Hong Kong independence)
Mingpao, December 15, 2017
https://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20171215/s00001/1513310796113

Court accepts appeal application from cop found guilty of assaulting democracy activist Ken Tsang
Hong Kong Free Press, December 15, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/12/15/court-accepts-appeal-application-cop-found-guilty-assaulting-democracy-activist-ken-tsang/

Civil Human Rights Front calls on public to “defend Hong Kong” at annual new year march
Hong Kong Free Press, December 15, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/12/15/civil-human-rights-front-calls-public-defend-hong-kong-annual-new-year-march/

Related:

元旦遊行守護香港 民陣:禮崩樂壞 市民不能沉默 (Civil Human Rights Front organizes January 1 march to defend Hong Kong)
Inmediahk, December 14, 2017
https://www.inmediahk.net/node/1053912

ATV studio bomb makers get 26-46 months in jail
Radio Television Hong Kong, December 15, 2017
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1370266-20171215.htm

Hong Kong to be notified in 30 days if residents detained in China for “endangering national security”
Hong Kong Free Press, December 14, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/12/14/hong-kong-notified-30-days-residents-detained-china-endangering-national-security/

Related:

通報機制新安排:內地拘危害國安港人須30天內通報 (New mechanism says mainland will notify Hong Kong in 30 days if residents get detained for activity endangering national security)
Mingpao, December 14, 2017
https://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20171214/s00001/1513236958710

Commentary (评论)

In Beijing, who is and isn’t a “low-end person?”
China Change, December 14, 2017
https://chinachange.org/2017/12/14/in-beijing-who-is-and-isnt-a-low-end-person/

Human rights and press freedom in Hong Kong - A brief memoir
Hong Kong Watch, December 14, 2017
https://www.hongkongwatch.org/all-posts/2017/12/14/francis-moriarty-human-rights-and-press-freedom-in-hong-kong-a-brief-memoir

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Access to Justice (司法公正)

采访郭文贵电视主持人与大陆妻子失联三个月 (TV anchor interviews Miles Kwok, Chinese billionaire in exile, and his wife goes incommunicado for 3 months)
Voice of America, December 14, 2017
https://www.voachinese.com/a/chen-xiao-ping-wife-lost-contact-20171213/4162695.html

China marks Nanjing Massacre anniversary, detains rights activists
习近平出席南京大屠杀公祭 维权人士被严管逾24小时
Radio Free Asia, December 13, 2017
EN: http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/anniversary-12132017115632.html
CH: http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/gf1-12132017103548.html

China moves ahead with subversion trial of rights website founder Liu Feiyue
刘飞跃“煽颠罪”湖北随州中院正式立案
Radio Free Asia, December 13, 2017
EN: http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/liufeiyue-trial-12132017142438.html
CH: http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/ql2-12132017103304.html

Access to Information (信息公开)

Number of jailed journalists hits record high, advocacy group says
2017年中国41名记者入狱,全球第二多
The New York Times, December 14, 2017
EN: https://cn.nytimes.com/world/20171214/journalists-jailed-committee-to-protect-journalists/en-us/
CH: https://cn.nytimes.com/world/20171214/journalists-jailed-committee-to-protect-journalists/

Artist flees Beijing after filming devastation of mass evictions
公开“大驱逐”视频的艺术家逃离北京
The New York Times, December 14, 2017
EN: https://cn.nytimes.com/china/20171214/china-beijing-migrants-eviction/en-us/
CH: https://cn.nytimes.com/china/20171214/china-beijing-migrants-eviction/

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

撞斷九江大橋 船長出獄查「空心橋墩」 (Ex-convict captain investigates “hollow bridge pier” after his ship slammed into bridge in Jiangxi and killed 8)
Mingpao, December 14, 2017
https://news.mingpao.com/pns/dailynews/web_tc/article/20171214/s00013/1513188343264

English transcript of video featuring activist Zhen Jianghua
i-CABLE News, December 13, 2017
https://www.nchrd.org/2017/12/19545/

Government Accountability (政府问责)

携程亲子园事件5名工作人员被批捕 (Five kindergarten staffers in Shanghai under arrested after child abuse scandal)
Beijing News, December 13, 2017
http://www.bjnews.com.cn/news/2017/12/13/468422.html

保定一纸厂发生燃爆事故致4死 公司负责人已被警方控制 (Owner of paper mill detained by police after fire and explosion killed 4 in Hebei)
Beijing News, December 13, 2017
http://www.bjnews.com.cn/news/2017/12/13/468427.html

National Security & Counterterrorism (国家安全和反恐)

人权组织批评新疆强行收集居民生物信息 (Human rights organisation criticizes Xinjiang for forcefully collecting biological data from residents)
Reuters, December 13, 2017
http://bit.ly/2C4wdxE

Hong Kong (香港)

Showdown in LegCo over changes to its rule book: What’s fuelling the continuing clash?
South China Morning Post, December 14, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2124207/showdown-legco-over-changes-its-rule-book-whats-fuelling

Related:
學者發起聯署 反對修改議事規則 「社會將付上代價」 (Scholars launch signature campaign in protest against LegCo rules changes, warning “society will pay”)
Inmediahk, December 13, 2017
https://www.inmediahk.net/node/1053889/

Civic Party lawmaker Kwok Ka-ki among ten disqualified from running for China legislature seats
Hong Kong Free Press, December 14, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/12/14/civic-party-lawmaker-kwok-ka-ki-among-ten-disqualified-running-china-legislature-seats/

Related:
港區人大選舉確認49人為候選人 郭家麒斥假選舉 (49 confirmed as candidates for NPC Hong Kong election, and pro-democracy lawmaker Kwok Ka-ki calls it fake)
Radio Television Hong Kong, December 13, 2017
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1369897-20171213.htm

Hong Kong to pay HK$2.36 billion share of mega bridge project’s HK$11.7 billion cost overrun
South China Morning Post, December 14, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/2124232/hong-kong-pay-hk236-billion-share-mega-bridge-projects-hk117/

入境處下周一起擴展旅客自助離境服務 櫃位增設鏡頭識別容貌 (Immigration to add face-detection counters at borders next week)
Mingpao, December 14, 2017
https://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20171214/s00001/1513232374693

Candidate for Hong Kong University vice-chancellor position urged to reveal stance on academic freedom
Hong Kong Free Press, December 13, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/12/13/candidate-hong-kong-university-vice-chancellor-position-urged-reveal-stance-academic-freedom/

Commentary (评论)

Does Xi Jinping Thought really matter?
The Diplomat, December 14, 2017
https://thediplomat.com/2017/12/does-xi-jinping-thought-really-matter/

China’s stealthy holiday crackdowns
The Diplomat, December 14, 2017
https://thediplomat.com/2017/12/chinas-stealthy-holiday-crackdowns/

Record number of journalists jailed as Turkey, China, Egypt pay scant price for repression
Committee to Protect Journalists, December 13, 2017
https://cpj.org/reports/2017/12/journalists-prison-jail-record-number-turkey-china-egypt.php

China’s film industry: Blocked by its own Great Wall
China Film Insider, December 13, 2017
http://chinafilminsider.com/chinas-film-industry-blocked-by-its-own-great-wall/

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Uyghur woman dies of condition left untreated in Chinese police detention
Radio Free Asia, December 12, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/death-12122017164350.html

长期为民发声 湖北网络大V罗兰青被抓 (Luo Lanqing, Key Opinion Leader in Hubei, allegedly arrested for advocating for public)
Radio Free Asia, December 12, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/yf2-12122017101416.html

Access to Information (信息公开)

Chinese authorities collecting DNA from all residents of Xinjiang
The Guardian, December 13, 2017
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/13/chinese-authorities-collecting-dna-residents-xinjiang

China displays clout at Internet conference but some doubts remain
Voice of America, December 12, 2017
https://www.voanews.com/a/china-internet-conference-brings-tech-companies-together/4160056.html