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, December 15, 2016

Access to Information (信息公开)

凤凰网“严重违法违规” 北京网信办责令整改 (Phoenix website (ifeng) in "serious violation of the law," Beijing Internet Information Office orders rectification)
Radio Free Asia, December 14, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/meiti/yf2-12142016102407.html

Chinese Muslim website blocked after Xi letter
China Digital Times, December 14, 2016
http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2016/12/popular-chinese-muslim-website-blocked-xi-letter/

Related:
Popular Chinese Muslim website down after posting letter critical of Xi
转发致习近平公开信 穆斯林网站被封
Reuters, December 14, 2016
EN:http://www.reuters.com/article/uk-china-censorship-islam-idUSKBN1431LC
CH:http://bit.ly/2hmuPzn

北京對藏人管制:靠信息封鎖過日子 (Beijing controls Tibetans basing on information blockade)
Radio France Internationale, December 14, 2016
http://trad.cn.rfi.fr/中國/20161215-北京對藏人管制:靠信息封鎖過日子

三名藏人因涉嫌传播自焚视频被捕 (Three Tibetans arrested for spreading the video of a Tibetan’s self-immolation)
Voice of America, December 14, 2016
http://www.voachinese.com/a/tibet-self-immolation-20161213/3635001.html

VOA连线(王亚秋):报告:中国关押记者人数世界第二多(CPJ Annual Report: Number of journalists detained in China is 2nd largest in world)
Voice of America, December 14, 2016
http://www.voachinese.com/a/VOAWeishi-20161214-VOAConnects/3635890.html

Nassim Nicholas Taleb hits out at Chinese printers’ censorship of his book
The Guardian, December 14, 2016
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/dec/14/nassim-nicholas-taleb-hits-out-at-chinese-printers-censorship-of-his-book

Miss World contestant who challenged China is allowed to speak once more
The New York Times, December 14, 2016
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/14/world/asia/anastasia-lin-miss-world-china-canada.html

China holds 38 journalists behind bars in 2016: Press freedom group
Radio Free Asia, December 14, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/china-holds-38-journalists-behind-bars-in-2016-press-freedom-group-12142016104803.html

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

上海千余名知青上访 要求政府落实养老保障 (Over 1000 “educated youth” who returned to Shanghai after being sent to countryside during the Cultural Revolution, petition government to provide them more livable social security benefits)
Radio Free Asia, December 14, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/ml2-12142016102535.html

"不上床就下岗" 八成职场性骚扰来自上司 ("Don’t go to bed, get laid-off," supervisors responsible for 80% of workplace sexual harassment)
Radio Free Asia, December 14, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/yl-12142016115526.html

Choking on smog, China’s urban dwellers emerge in protest
China Change, December 14, 2016
https://chinachange.org/2016/12/14/choking-on-smog-middle-class-protests-emerge/

Larung Gar teachers visit nuns housed in temporary camp
Radio Free Asia, December 14, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/visit-12142016151721.html

New Chinese law puts foreign nonprofits in limbo
The Wall Street Journal, December 14, 2016
http://www.wsj.com/articles/foreign-nonprofits-brace-for-new-regulations-in-china-1481735054

人权日及南京大屠杀公祭日被拘 民间演说家韩良怒斥公安无良 (Detained for activities on Human Rights Day and Nanjing Massacre memorial day, civil public speaker Han Liang condemns ruthlessness of the public security)
Radio Free Asia, December 14, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/ql2-12142016102149.html

Government Accountability (政府问责)

Communist Party mouthpiece quotes China Daily as “foreign media” to reassure public over slowing economy
South China Morning Post, December 14, 2016
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/economy/article/2054515/communist-party-mouthpiece-quotes-china-daily-foreign-media

China jails former Nanjing city chief for 12 years for graft
Reuters, December 14, 2016
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-corruption-court-idUSKBN1430TA

國台辦不反對九二共識之外的新共識但核心需同屬一中 (China’s Taiwan Affairs Office does not oppose new consensuses other than the “1992 consensus,” so long as the core principle is “One China”)
Radio France Internationale, December 15, 2016
http://trad.cn.rfi.fr/中國/20161215-國台辦不反對九二共識之外的新共識但核心需同屬一中

Hong Kong (香港)

独派香港民族党领袖遭台湾统派围攻 台湾政府与民间团体谴责暴力 (Leaders of separatist Hong Kong National Party assaulted by unificationists in Taiwan—Taiwan government and rights groups condemn the violence)
Radio Free Asia, December 13, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/gangtai/hx-12132016132336.html

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Open to negotiation? A review of China’s abridged Criminal Procedures
China Law Translate, December 13, 2016
http://chinalawtranslate.com/open-to-negotiation/?lang=en#_Toc469406025

Access to Information (信息公开)

新疆通过防治网络“虚假”和“有害”信息的条例 (Standing Committee of 12th People's Congress for XUAR adopts regulations on control and punishment of online transmission of “false” information)
Radio Free Asia, December 12, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/shaoshuminzu/nu-12122016115249.html

Related:
Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Regulations on Control and Punishment of Online Transmission of False Information
China Law Translate, December 7, 2016
http://bit.ly/2hrybOT

Pageant silences beauty queen, a critic of China, at U.S. contest
The New York Times, December 13, 2016
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/13/world/asia/anastasia-lin-miss-world-china-censorship.html

China’s Internet censors crack down on news portal over U.S. election coverage
South China Morning Post, December 13, 2016
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2054252/chinas-internet-censors-crack-down-news-portal-over-us

Chengdu authorities clamp down on air pollution reporting following protests
Hong Kong Free Press, December 13, 2016
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2016/12/13/chengdu-authorities-clamp-down-on-air-pollution-reporting-following-protests/

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

Don't spread “straight-man cancer,” China feminist warns Trump
The Guardian, December 14, 2016
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/14/dont-spread-straight-man-cancer-china-feminist-warns-trump

Government Accountability (政府问责)

China dismisses critics’ Human Rights Day statements
China Digital Times, December 13, 2016
http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2016/12/china-dismisses-critics-human-rights-day-statements/

Self-immolator’s wife, daughters “tortured” in detention
Radio Free Asia, December 13, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/tortured-12132016135235.html

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

Uyghur farmers sent to school in China “anti-extremism” drive
Radio Free Asia, December 13, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/school-12132016172810.html

Hong Kong (香港)

Localist duo “confident” Hong Kong’s highest court will hear their appeal over oath row
Hong Kong Free Press, December 14, 2016
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2016/12/14/localist-duo-confident-hong-kongs-highest-court-will-hear-their-appeal-over-oath-row/

Related:
香港立法會宣誓風波:梁頌恆游蕙禎決定上訴終審法院 (Oath-taking row: Leung and Yau to take their case to the Court of Final Appeal)
British Broadcasting Corporation, December 14, 2016
http://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/trad/chinese-news-38311691

港媒問:張曉明去了哪? (Hong Kong media asks: Where is Zhang Xiaoming, the director of the Liaison Office?)
Radio France Internationale, December 14, 2016
http://trad.cn.rfi.fr/中國/20161214-港媒問:張曉明去了哪?

政府辦回歸20周年海報設計及短片比賽 加強市民對港歸屬感 (Hong Kong government organizes “Poster design and video competitions in celebration of HKSAR's 20th anniversary” to strengthen citizens’ sense of belonging)
Ming Pao, December 14, 2016
http://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20161214/s00001/1481702872957

民陣元旦遊行「反釋法、撤覆核、我要真普選」 盼傘後專業團體參與 (Civil Human Rights Front organizes New Year’s Day march protesting NPC interpretation of Basic Law, calling for withdrawal of legal challenge to lawmakers’ oath-taking and demanding for “genuine universal suffrage,” hoping more post-Umbrella professional groups will join)
Ming Pao, December 14, 2016
http://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20161214/s00001/1481704449433

Lesson for Trump in Hong Kong: try to bounce China at your peril
The Financial Times, December 12, 2016
https://www.ft.com/content/901ca766-c038-11e6-9bca-2b93a6856354

Commentary (评论)

Ai Weiwei and the art of activism
Village Voice, December 13, 2016
http://www.villagevoice.com/arts/ai-weiwei-and-the-art-of-activism-9453819

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Heart, brain of Chinese dissident removed amid suspicions over cause of death
Radio Free Asia, December 12, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/pengming-organs-12122016134006.html

Access to Information (信息公开)

新書被要求改「中國台灣」 《黑天鵝》作者轟:在美國銷售卻由中國審查 (Author of “The Black Swan” Nassim Nicholas Taleb asked to change “Taiwan” into “China, Taiwan” in new book printed in China, author resists and hits back: book to be sold in the U.S. is not to be censored by China)
Ming Pao, December 13, 2016
http://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20161213/s00004/1481601679089

Minitrue: Notice on Chengdu environmental coverage
China Digital Times, December 12, 2016
http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2016/12/minitrue-urgent-notice-chengdu-environmental-coverage/

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

China riot police seal off city center after smog protesters put masks on statues
The Guardian, December 12, 2016
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/12/china-riot-police-seal-off-city-centre-after-smog-protesters-put-masks-on-statues

Government Accountability (政府问责)

Passports taken, more police ... new party boss Chen Quanguo acts to tame Xinjiang with methods used in Tibet
South China Morning Post, December 12, 2016
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2053739/party-high-flier-uses-his-tibet-model-bid-tame-xinjiang

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

China cyber: Stepping into the shoes of a “major power”
The Diplomat, December 13, 2016
http://thediplomat.com/2016/12/china-cyber-stepping-into-the-shoes-of-a-major-power/

Hong Kong (香港)

Breaking: Hong Kong’s ousted lawmakers to take legal battle to Court of Final Appeal
Hong Kong Free Press, December 13, 2016
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2016/12/13/breaking-hong-kongs-ousted-lawmakers-to-take-legal-battle-to-court-of-final-appeal/

HK becoming China, veteran mainland journalist laments
Hong Kong Economic Journal, December 9, 2016
http://www.ejinsight.com/20161209-hk-becoming-china-veteran-mainland-journalist-laments/

Hong Kong's pro-Beijing Chief Executive is leaving. But there are plenty more where he came from
Global Voices, December 12, 2016
https://globalvoices.org/2016/12/12/hong-kongs-pro-beijing-chief-executive-is-leaving-but-there-are-plenty-more-where-he-came-from/

Hong Kong pro-democracy groups make record gains
British Broadcasting Corporation, December 12, 2016
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-38286355

Video: Localist lawmaker and pro-Beijing lawmaker share a moment at LegCo meeting
Hong Kong Free Press, December 13, 2016
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2016/12/13/video-localist-lawmaker-pro-beijing-lawmaker-share-moment-legco-meeting/

鼓吹港獨香港民族黨黨員在台灣遇襲 (Members of separatist Hong Kong National Party assaulted in Taiwan)
Radio France Internationale, December 13, 2016
http://trad.cn.rfi.fr/中國/20161213-鼓吹港獨香港民族黨黨員在台灣遇襲

Avoid using “mainland mentality” to tackle Hong Kong problems, Chinese scholar urges Beijing
Hong Kong Free Press, December 13, 2016
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2016/12/13/avoid-using-mainland-mentality-to-tackle-hong-kong-problems-chinese-scholar-urges-beijing/

港大民調:梁振英袁國強評分跌至上任最低 (HKU Public Opinion Programme: Chief Executive CY Leung and Justice Sec Rimsky Yuen ratings lowest since taking office)
Ming Pao, December 13, 2016
http://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20161213/s00001/1481616141547

Commentary (评论)

How Xi Jinping can avoid becoming a dictator
The New York Times, December 12, 2016
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/12/opinion/how-xi-jinping-can-avoid-becoming-a-dictator.html

Monday, December 12, 2016

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Tibetan father of three self-immolates in Gansu
China Digital Times, December 9, 2016
http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2016/12/tibetan-father-three-self-immolates-gansu/

Wives of detained Chinese rights lawyers demand answers
British Broadcasting Corporation, December 9, 2016
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-38259063

China puts dissidents under house arrest for Human Rights Day
Radio Free Asia, December 9, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/dissidents-detain-12092016141330.html

Access to Information (信息公开)

Translation: Game developers lament censors’ demands
China Digital Times, December 11, 2016
http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2016/12/translation-game-developers-lament-censors-demands/