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, October 25, 2019

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

For a conservative city, Beijing has a remarkable gay nightlife
The Economist, October 24, 2019

Government Accountability (政府问责)

“一带一路”登陆澳洲 中国“锐实力”挑战西方 (As One Belt One Road lands in Australia, China's "sharp power" challenges the West)
BBC, October 24, 2019

US Senate bill calls for ending sale of crowd-control munitions to Hong Kong
South China Morning Post, October 25, 2019

Solomon Islands government says China’s island lease is unlawful
South China Morning Post, October 25, 2019

Essex lorry deaths: UK must bear responsibility, says Chinese state media
The Guardian, October 25, 2019

Pence backs Hong Kong protests in China speech, slams NBA and Nike
Reuters, October 24, 2019

英上議院通過無約束力動議 籲給港人第二公民身分與居留權 彭定康:使用暴力只對共產黨有利 (UK House of Lords passes non-binding motion to give British citizenship to Hong Kongers)
Ming Pao, October 25, 2019

Related:
Hundreds of Hong Kong protesters chant 'God Save the Queen' and 'We are British' while forming a human chain around the British Consulate - as the Lords prepares to debate granting UK citizenship to residents of the former colony
Daily Mail, October 24, 2019

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

內地網絡罪案司法解釋下月實施冀及早懲治違法犯罪網站 ("Hit early, hit small": Supreme People's Procuratorate and Supreme People's Court publish new judicial interpretation on cybercrime, effective November 1)
Radio Television Hong Kong, October 25, 2019

《最高人民法院、最高人民检察院关于办理非法利用信息网络帮助信息网络、犯罪活动等刑事案件适用法律若干问题的解释》新闻发布会 (New judicial interpretation toughens cybercrime regulations on compliance by service providers, brands "providing technical support" and "frequent use of encrypted messaging" as illegal use of online information)
Supreme People's Court, October 25, 2019

Hong Kong (香港)

‘Fight against oppression’: Hong Kong and Catalan protesters hold parallel solidarity rallies
Hong Kong Free Press, October 25, 2019

Related:
加泰隆尼亞集會聲援香港 唱加語版《榮光》 當地華人唱國歌示威 有人搶標語擋鏡頭 (Catalonians hold solidarity assembly with Hong Kong and sing "Glory to Hong Kong" song, while Pro-China protesters harrass rally)
Stand News, October 24, 2019

【加泰人權自由集會】居港加泰人:對港人聲援感動 痛心警暴 港人:兩地抗爭相似 (Catalonians in Hong Kong join solidarity rally)
Stand News, October 24, 2019

How justice falls through the cracks of a Taiwan-Hong Kong legal loophole
South China Morning Post, October 25, 2019

律政司警務處長申禁令 禁披露警員「起底」資料 (Commissioner of Police applies for injunction order to ban "doxxing" of officers and their family, including unauthorized disclosure of names, social media accounts, license plate numbers or photos)
Stand News, October 25, 2019

記協:96% 受訪新聞從業員 反對官方「記者發牌制度」 (96% of journalists oppose centralized licensing system for individual journalists, says Hong Kong Journalists Association)
Stand News, October 25, 2019

Hong Kong government slammed in ombudsman ruling on suppression of public feedback to extradition bill
South China Morning Post, October 25, 2019

Pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong’s district council candidacy still in limbo as Hong Kong government vetting officer abruptly replaced
South China Morning Post, October 24, 2019

Related:
【因病休假】DQ 參選人前先 DQ 選舉主任? 黃之鋒:搵劊子手取消我參選資格 (Disqualifying the disqualifier: Joshua Wong criticizes "hard order" from Beijing to disqualify him as his eligibility to run for election remains unknown)
Stand News, October 24, 2019

【11.24 區選】政府稱已設選舉危機管理委員會 如遇騷亂暴力或押後區選 (Government says crisis group has been formed for upcoming election, might postpone election in the event of violence)
Stand News, October 24, 2019

Related:
Hong Kong gov’t forms election crisis committee in case of last-minute delay due to disruption
Hong Kong Free Press, October 25, 2019

Commentary (评论)

Beneath the Hong Kong protests, a mental-health time bomb is ticking as fear and mistrust grow
South China Morning Post, October 25, 2019

Can China’s Government Advance Its Case on Twitter?
China File, October 24, 2019

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Xinjiang (新疆)

Nearly Half of Residents of Uyghur-Majority Village in Xinjiang Held in Internment Camps
Radio Free Asia, October 23, 2019

骚扰、恐吓 中国对维吾尔人的打压延伸海外 (Harassment and threats: China's repression of Uyghurs stretches overseas)
Radio Free Asia, October 23, 2019

中国黑客行动升级,攻击海外少数民族和侨民
China Sharpens Hacking to Hound Its Minorities, Far and Wide
The New York Times, October 22, 2019

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Japan wants China to take 'positive actions' on Japanese detained in Beijing
Reuters, October 23, 2019

Related:
Japan presses China on professor held for 'spying'
Channel News Asia, October 23, 2019

控间谍拘一日本人 安倍向王岐山要解释 (Shinzō Abe demands explanation as China detains Japanese citizen on spying charges)
Radio France Internationale, October 23, 2019

Access to Information (信息公开)

Two American Moguls Punt on Hong Kong, and Only One Gets Torched
Bloomberg, October 23, 2019

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters rally for Catalan independence
Reuters, October 23, 2019

多伦多猛龙NBA开幕战 数千球迷穿挺港T恤捍卫自由 ("The North stand with Hong Kong": Thousands of NBA fans wear t-shirts in support of Hong Kong at Toronto opening game)
Radio Free Asia, October 23, 2019

Government Accountability (政府问责)

China's Corporate Social Credit System Demands Political Obedience from Companies
The Diplomat, October 24, 2019

China's increased influence in Nepal led to ban on Dalai Lama birthday celebration: US envoy
Times of India, October 23, 2019

中国代表团未能出席国际大会 华春莹:美国将签证武器化 (China accuses U.S. of "weaponzing visas" and obstructing normal international exchanges as Chinese delegation misses International Astronautical Congress, while organizers point to late submission of papers)
Radio France Internationale, October 24, 2019

Related:
China: US Has 'Weaponized' Visas to Target Exchanges
Voice of America, October 23, 2019

Top Chinese official misses space conference amid U.S.-China tensions
Washington Post, October 24, 2019

North Korean Workers in China Forced to Work Overtime Before Sanctions Deadline
Radio Free Asia, October 23, 2019

China Investigates Painful, Unproven Needle 'Treatment' For Cerebral Palsy
SupChina, October 23, 2019

2022 Winter Olympics should not be held in China, GOP Sen. Rick Scott says
CNBC, October 22, 2019

Hong Kong (香港)

Rally ban review quashed
The Standard, October 24, 2019

Hong Kong police groups slam university head for publishing arrested students' 'unverified accusations' of mistreatment
Hong Kong Free Press, October 24, 2019

China foreign ministry says report on plans to replace Hong Kong leader Lam a political rumour
South China Morning Post, October 23, 2019

Related:
Hong Kong protesters warn replacing Carrie Lam may not be enough
Financial Times, October 23, 2019

【陳同佳案】陸委會:陳同佳不可「自由行模式」赴台 設單一窗口處理 (Taiwan says murder suspect Chan Tong-kai cannot enter Taiwan as tourist, sets up taskforce to handle his "surrender")
Ming Pao, October 23, 2019

Related:
Taiwan officers can accompany murder suspect Chan Tong-kai from Hong Kong to island – as long as he agrees and they don't use legal power in city, experts say
South China Morning Post, October 23, 2019

Why a dispute over a Hong Kong murder suspect is giving Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen an election edge
South China Morning Post, October 23, 2019

Hong Kong's domestic workers feel caught between both sides in information war
Washington Post, October 23, 2019

王國興、周融等組關注組 質疑放港獨分子入閘 香港等同緊急狀態 區選難言公正 (Pro-Beijing group questions authorities for allowing candidates who chanted protest slogans to run for election, says elections cannot be fair when Hong Kong is under the equivalent of a state of emergency)
Stand news, October 23, 2019

Related:
《大公報》轟朱凱廸港獨份子 促港府重啟確認區選資格程序 (Beijing mouthpiece Ta Kung Pao blasts Eddie Chu as pro-independence, urges authorities to reexamine his recently regained eligibility to run for district elections)
Stand News, October 23, 2019

Hong Kong police have 'unwavering support', Beijing says after remark by city's leader Carrie Lam
South China Morning Post, October 23, 2019

Injunction to shield Hong Kong voter register from public to prevent doxxing to remain through district council elections – as police group pleas to make it permanent
South China Morning Post, October 23, 2019

Students vandalise Singapore lecturer's office at City University of Hong Kong over his 'political agendas' warning
South China Morning Post, October 23, 2019

Commentary (评论)

Friends from Hong Kong: Taiwan's Refugee Problem
The Diplomat, October 23, 2019

If the protest violence continues in Hong Kong, the only winners are Beijing and one-party rule
South China Morning Post, October 24, 2019

抗爭運動下市民政治傾向的轉變(文:李立峯)(Changes in political stance of Hong Kong citizens amidst protests)
Ming Pao, October 24, 2019

政府是否有責任保障陳同佳的法律權利 (Hong Kong government is duty-bound to protect murder suspect’s legal rights)
Stand News, October 24, 2019

Hong Kong protesters shouldn't pin hopes on outsiders to solve their impasse with Beijing
The Conversation, October 23, 2019

白信:從治理暴力到路線鬥爭,香港革命是中國的內生危機 (From violence of governance to spectrum struggles, Hong Kong's revolution is China's home-grown crisis)
The Initium, October 23, 2019

Focus should be on justice not politics in Taiwan murder case
South China Morning Post, October 23, 2019

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Access to Justice (司法公正)

八九学运领袖周勇军获释暂不上诉 曾被港府“送中”理解港人疑虑 (Democratic activist Zhou Yongjun finishes prison term, gives up appeal for time being in fear of harsher sentence)
Radio Free Asia, October 22, 2019

Access to Information (信息公开)

Tarantino shows how to take stand against China and shame censors
The Sydney Morning Herald, October 23, 2019

China blocks almost a quarter of accredited foreign news sites: Watchdog
Agence France-Presse, October 22, 2019

Related:
1/4外媒网站被中国封锁 (Foreign Correspondents Club of China says almost a quarter of foreign media registered in China have websites blocked by mainland authorities)
Radio Free Asia, October 22, 2019

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

Queensland student sues Chinese consul general, alleging he incited death threats
The Guardian, October 22, 2019

Hong Kong protesters crash NBA opening night party
Channel News Asia, October 23, 2019

Chinese state TV blacks out NBA season opener after threat of 'retribution'
The Guardian, October 22, 2019

专访香港民阵梁颖敏:香港是中国法治、自由的桥头堡 (Hong Kong is bridgehead for freedom and rule of law in China, says Civil Human Rights Front representative at rights award ceremony)
Radio Free Asia, October 22, 2019

北京一纸“非法”令 赶“中端人口” 三千户业主抗议强拆涉款数十亿元 (Property owners surround village authorities building in Beijing over forced evictions that would displace over 3,000 families)
Radio Free Asia, October 22, 2019

Government Accountability (政府问责)

Three more US senators back Hong Kong bill, including presidential candidate Kamala Harris
South China Morning Post, October 23, 2019

Huang Xiangmo: Chinese billionaire claims persecution by 'dark forces of Australia's deep state'
The Guardian, October 22, 2019

Nepal Refuses China On Extradition Treaty, Protecting Tibetan Exiles
SupChina, October 21, 2019

House Churches with Hong Kong Ties Targeted for Crackdowns
Bitter Winter, October 20, 2019

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

Hong Kong Police Already Have AI Tech That Can Recognize Faces
Bloomberg, October 22, 2019

Huawei hires Trump fundraiser
Bloomberg, October 23, 2019

Apple's $50 Billion Dilemma in China
Bloomberg, October 22, 2019

Navigating Chinese AI research collaboration: cases from Australia, Microsoft
China Digital Times, October 22, 2019

Hong Kong (香港)

Hong Kong government formally withdraws controversial extradition law bill
South China Morning Post, October 23, 2019

Hong Kong Completes the Process of Withdrawing the Extradition Bill, But Will It Stop the Protests?
Time Magazine, October 23, 2019

How Hong Kong protests are inspiring movements worldwide
Deutsche Welle, October 22, 2019

Murder suspect walks free as Hong Kong, Taiwan authorities clash
Reuters, October 23, 2019

Related:
【陳同佳出獄】環時專訪管浩鳴︰陳非「被自首」 未知出獄後安排 (In exclusive interview with Global Times, pastor who convinced murder suspect to turn himself in to Taiwan authorities says it’s "impossible" Chan was forced to surrender)
HK01, October 23, 2019

Hong Kong murder suspect Chan Tong-kai who triggered protest crisis over botched extradition bill released from jail, issues public apology
South China Morning Post, October 23, 2019

一個逃犯,兩場風暴:陳同佳案背後的台港引渡空窗與兩岸角力戰場 (One fugitive, two storms: The void of extradition arrangements and the cross-strait battlefield)
The Initium, October 23, 2019

China ‘draws up plan to replace Carrie Lam’ as Hong Kong protests drag on – report
The Guardian, October 23, 2019

Hong Kong police assoc. wins injunction application barring public from checking voter registers
Hong Kong Free Press, October 23, 2019

Related:
拆局:或再限制查車牌等 傳媒失偵查工具 (Sources say police organizations would further seek to limit inspection of license-plate records, after winning injunction on vote registers checks)
Ming Pao, October 23, 2019

Victims of water cannon outside Kowloon Mosque file complaints against Hong Kong police
Hong Kong Free Press, October 22, 2019

記協:嚴厲譴責警方針對記者 無理發射水炮及投擲催淚彈 (Hong Kong Journalist Association condemns police for targeting journalists with water cannons and tear gas)
Inmediahk.net, October 22, 2019

Related:
HKJA vehemently condemns police spraying, firing teargas canisters at reporters
Hong Kong Journalist Association, October 22, 2019

不满港警暴力 民间自发300页调查报告 (Hong Kong citizens publish own investigative report on police violence as authorities refuse independent investigation)
Deutsche Welle, October 22, 2019

Commentary (评论)

Hong Kong protests: from throwing bricks at police vans to becoming experts at putting out tear gas, meet the teenagers who are risking it all for their ideals
South China Morning Post, October 23, 2019

In Hong Kong, Which Side Is Technology On?
Wired, October 22, 2019

Hong Kong political scientist likens Hongkongers to a stateless nation
Global Voices, October 22, 2019