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.

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Beijing is holding U.S. citizens “hostage” in China
The Daily Beast, June 18, 2018
https://www.thedailybeast.com/beijing-is-holding-us-citizens-hostage-in-china

人民法院组织法修订草案二审 领导干部干预司法活动或将被追责 (Draft Amended Organic Law of the People’s Courts to impose liabilities on judicial interference by key officials)
Xinhua Net, June 19, 2018
http://www.cankaoxiaoxi.com/china/20180619/2282041.shtml

人民检察院组织法修订草案二审稿提交审议 (Draft Amended Organic Law of the People’s Procuratorates to expand supervisory power over administrative agencies)
Legal Daily, June 19, 2018
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/index_article/content/2018-06/19/content_7572080.htm?node=5955

China’s forced TV confessions report now out in Chinese
Boxun, June 19, 2018
http://en.boxun.com/2018/06/19/chinas-forced-tv-confessions-report-now-out-in-chinese/

Related:
揭露电视认罪:背下警方写好的台词 (Safeguard Defenders publishes report on China’s forced TV confessions)
Deutsche Welle, June 19, 2018
http://p.dw.com/p/2zpnx

Access to Information (信息公开)

Japanese airlines make Taiwan name switch to “China Taiwan” on websites
South China Morning Post, June 19, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2151384/japanese-airlines-make-taiwan-name-switch-china-taiwan

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

火车司机北京纪念铁路工人节遭维稳 (Three railroad workers arrested for advocating establishment of World Railroad Workers Day)
Voice of America, June 19, 2018
https://www.voachinese.com/a/news-chinese-train-engine-drivers-detained-for-advocating-for-labor-rights-20180618/4443839.html

Government Accountability (政府问责)

“三公”消费做假账,严查!(监督哨) (Heightened scrutiny of false claims for reimbursement on travel, entertainment, and meals)
People's Daily,June 19, 2018
http://politics.people.com.cn/n1/2018/0619/c1001-30064727.html

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

Beijing subway to install facial recognition as fears grow of China surveillance powers
The Telegraph, June 19, 2018
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/06/19/beijing-subway-install-facial-recognition-fears-grow-china-surveillance/

Traffic police in southern Chinese city target drivers with hi-tech cameras
South China Morning Post, June 17, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2151179/traffic-police-southern-chinese-city-target-drivers-hi-tech

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

China adds to nuclear arsenal amid military modernisation drive
South China Morning Post, June 18, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2151325/china-adds-nuclear-arsenal-amid-military-modernisation

Hong Kong (香港)

时代广场拟申禁制令 刘晓波铜像移师百德新街 (Liu Xiaobo statuemoves to Paterson Street due to Times Square owner’s demand)
inmediahk.net, June 19, 2018
https://www.inmediahk.net/node/1057780

Organisers of Hong Kong democracy march say police are infringing freedoms as protesters warned of possible arrest
Hong Kong Free Press, June 19, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/06/19/organisers-hong-kong-democracy-march-say-police-infringing-freedoms-protesters-warned-possible-arrest/

游蕙祯:香港政治和我们的想象完全不同了 (Convicted former Hong Kong legislative council member: Hong Kong law is being used to crack down on political dissidents)
British Broadcasting Corporation, June 19, 2018
http://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/chinese-news-44518872

香港记者协会对《国歌条例草案》建议内容之意见书 (Hong Kong Journalists Association: National Anthem Bill impairs freedom of expression)
inmediahk.net, June 20, 2018
https://www.inmediahk.net/node/1057784

Commentary (评论)

Comparing the brainwashing of Uighurs with the party’s anti-Falun Gong campaign
China Change, June 18, 2018
https://chinachange.org/2018/06/18/comparing-the-brainwashing-of-uighurs-with-the-partys-anti-falun-gong-campaign/

Inside the Chinese censorship rabbit hole
Sup China, June 19, 2018
https://supchina.com/2018/06/18/inside-the-censorship-rabbit-hole-whats-approved-denied-in-china/

Monday, June 18, 2018

Access to Information (信息公开)

忠实履行党的新闻舆论工作职责使命 不断提升传播力引导力影响力公信力 (Xi Jinping demands party loyalty from People’s Daily and other media)
People's Daily,June 16, 2018
http://politics.people.com.cn/n1/2018/0616/c1001-30062836.html

China’s official news media sharply criticize Trump
The New York Times, June 16, 2018
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/16/business/china-media-trump-tariffs.html

重磅!不动产登记全国联网 名下多少套房一查就知道 (National real estate registration is set up to assist corruption investigations)
Global Times, June 18, 2018
http://xinwen.eastday.com/a/180618132003625.html

Access to Justice (司法公正)

为纪念六四 山东退休教授孙文广被关黑监狱43天 (Shandong retired professor Sun Wenguang was detained 43 days in black jail for commemorating June Fourth)
Radio Free Asia, June 18, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/ql1-06182018101030.html

Government Accountability (政府问责)

中国英烈保护法寒蝉效应 史学研究担心紧箍咒 (Scholars worry Heroes and Martyrs Protection Law will chill freedom of historical research)
British Broadcasting Corporation, June 18, 2018
http://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/chinese-news-44492141

北京:市纪委监委机关干部不准打官腔摆架子 (Beijing party and city commissions for discipline inspection and supervision ban ten behaviors among their officials )
People's Daily,June 18, 2018
http://politics.people.com.cn/n1/2018/0618/c1001-30064164.html

中船重工集团总经理孙波涉嫌严重违纪违法被查 (Manager of China Shipbuilding Industry Corp is investigated for serious disciplinary and legal violations)
People's Daily,June 16, 2018
http://politics.people.com.cn/n1/2018/0616/c1001-30063430.html

中国上市公司被要求设立党支部 (Chinese listed companies are required to establish party branches)
Radio Free Asia, June 18, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/zhengzhi/ql2-06182018100406.html

Officials in China's Hunan slammed over high school tuberculosis outbreak
Radio Free Asia, June 15, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/hunan-tb-06152018145159.html

证监会召开打击股市“黑嘴”案件调度推进 会夯实证据严格追究法律责任 (China Securities Regulatory Commission to intensify “black mouth” campaign to prosecute frauds, Ponzi schemes, and “fake news”)
Legal Daily, June 18, 2018
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/index_article/content/2018-06/18/content_7571572.htm?node=5955

江西省委常委会:要持续开展殡葬乱象治理,全面推行遗体火化 (Funeral service reform in Jiangxi Province: a push for 100% cremation )
The Paper, June 14, 2018
https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_2197717

How China censors the net: by making sure there’s too much information
The Guardian, June 16, 2018
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/16/how-china-censors-internet-information

Vatican, China in new round of talks on appointment of bishops
Reuters, June 15, 2018
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-china/vatican-china-in-new-round-of-talks-on-appointment-of-bishops-idUSKBN1JB2ON?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

Beijing wants to rewrite the rules of the Internet
The Atlantic, June 18, 2018
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/06/zte-huawei-china-trump-trade-cyber/563033/?utm_source=feed

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

中国明确恐怖极端主义定罪标准 针对维吾尔人? (China defines the criteria for conviction of terrorist extremism, aimed to Uighurs?)
Radio Free Asia, June 15, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/shaoshuminzu/hj-06152018104943.html

Australia to ban Chinese technology giant from mobile data project
Voice of America, June 17, 2018
https://www.voanews.com/a/australia-to-ban-chinese-technology-giant-from-mobile-data-project/4442432.html

Related:
Huawei rejects Australia security concerns
BBC News, June 18, 2018
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-44519495

Hong Kong (香港)

香港公布七一大游行主题:结束一党专政 (Hong Kong Civil Human Rights Front announces the theme of July 1 Parade: End one-party dictatorship)
Radio Free Asia, June 18, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/gangtai/cp2-06182018145342.html

香港团体“端午节”悼念刘晓波促放刘霞 (Hong Kong Group mourns Liu Xiaobo and urges release of Liu Xia on day of Dragon Boat Festival)
Radio Free Aisa, June 18, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/gangtai/cp-06182018102416.html

Related:
香港刘晓波铜像遭警告须移走 民团斥政治打压 (Civil society denounces Times Square owner’s threat to remove Liu Xiaobo statue)
Radio Free Asia, June 17, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/gangtai/cp-06172018144308.html

Chinese agent orchestrating HPV vaccine protest against US medical firm Merck in Hong Kong is profiting from offering the jab
South China Morning Post, June 18, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/2151180/chinese-agent-orchestrating-hpv-vaccine-protest

Hong Kong’s July 1 march participants could face legal action over start point in shopping areas, police chief Stephen Lo warns
South China Morning Post, June 16, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-law-and-crime/article/2151112/hong-kongs-july-1-march-organisers-face

Explainer: How Hong Kong’s controversial rail link law was pushed through using four unprecedented tactics
South China Morning Post, June 16, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/06/16/explainer-hong-kongs-controversial-rail-link-law-pushed-using-four-unprecedented-tactics/

Related:
Hong Kong pair to launch judicial review applications over controversial joint checkpoint plan for high-speed rail
South China Morning Post, June 16, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2151071/hong-kong-pair-launch-judicial-review-applications-over

Rights group hits out at dual checkpoint plan for Hong Kong
Radio Free Asia, June 18, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/checkpoint-06182018105419.html

Commentary (评论)

Exiled in the U.S., a lawyer warns of “China’s long arm”
The New York Times, June 15, 2018
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/15/world/asia/teng-biao-china-censorship.html

In translation: “To stay or to leave Hong Kong?” – A letter from jailed localist Edward Leung, written before his sentencing
Hong Kong Free Press, June 16, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/06/16/translation-stay-leave-hong-kong-letter-jailed-localist-edward-leung-written-ahead-sentencing/

Kim Jong-Un’s Air China summit charter is proof Beijing is wind beneath his wings
South China Morning Post, June 17, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/2150738/kim-jong-uns-air-china-summit-charter-proof-beijing-wind-beneath

Protecting child rights in Hong Kong will take more than an official commission
South China Morning Post, June 15, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/hong-kong/article/2150906/protecting-child-rights-hong-kong-will-take-more

Friday, June 15, 2018

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Nearly half of Xinjiang Village’s residents sent to ‘Political Re-Education Camps’: official
Radio Free Asia, June 15, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/half-06142018132115.html

黄琦案庭审突被取消 “六四天网”义工提出质疑 (Scheduled Wang Qi trial is suddenly canceled, 64Tianwang volunteers seek answer)
Radio Free Asia, June 15, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/gf2-06152018102754.html

毒奶粉十周年:结石宝宝之家蒋亚林赴港遭拦截 (At 10th anniversary of tainted milk powder scandal, “Home of Kidney Stone Babies” founder, Jiang Yalin, is barred from traveling to Hong Kong)
Radio Free Asia, June 15, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/ql1-06152018104209.html

山西男子朋友圈辱骂交警被拘 律师:警方处罚没问题 (Man arrested for insulting traffic police on Wechat)
China News, June 15, 2018
http://xinwen.eastday.com/a/n180615182437642.html?qid=news.baidu.com

四部门发文明确恐怖活动和极端主义犯罪定罪标准等 (Joint guidelines by Supreme People's Procuratorate, Supreme People's Court, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Public Safety set out standards on crimes of terrorism, extremism)
China News, June 15, 2018
https://3w.huanqiu.com/a/4e2d56fd65b095fb7f51/7DL4lrATsSk?agt=8

发改委:每月首个工作日公布限制乘火车飞机人员名单 (National Development and Reform Commission to post travel ban list on the first work day of every month on China Credit website)
China News, June 15, 2018
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/index_article/content/2018-06/15/content_7571040.htm?node=5955

Access to Information (信息公开)

Reuters Inst. study flags impact of Chinese money on independence of Hong Kong media
Hong Kong Free Press, June 15, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/06/15/reuters-inst-study-flags-impact-chinese-money-independence-hong-kong-media/

洪振快“狼牙山五壮士”案开庭 (Court hears counter-suit by former editor of liberal CPC journal alleging defamation by PLA publications concerning his probe on veracity of resistance episode during Sino-Japanese War)
Radio Free Asia, June 15, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/kejiaowen/ql2-06152018104257.html

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

Funeral of Chinese activist canceled amid doubts about death
Radio Free Asia, June 15, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/funeral-of-chinese-activist-canceled-06152018102144.html

Inside a Chinese labor camp: Q&A with Leon Lee, director of “Letter From Masanjia”
Sup China, June 15, 2018
https://supchina.com/2018/06/15/qa-with-leon-lee-director-of-letter-from-masanjia/

中国跨性别群体:不再躲藏 向前迈进 (Transgender groups in China: No more hiding)
Radio Free Asia, June 14, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/shehui/hj-06142018105453.html

616铁路工人节在即 铁路工人遭强力稳控 (Railroad workers subject to harsh restrictions in lead up to June 16 Railroad Workers’ Day)
Radio Free Asia, June 15, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/yf2-06152018104417.html

Government Accountability (政府问责)

中國首例地方政府欠薪 湖南耒陽欠公務員工資 (Leiyang in Hunan becomes the first local government to miss payroll)
Oriental Daily News, June 15, 2018
http://hk.on.cc/cn/bkn/cnt/news/20180615/bkncn-20180615211331182-0615_05011_001.html

国际人权组织联署促欧盟直面中国人权 (International human rights NGOs urge EU to press China on human rights)
Voice of America, June 15, 2018
https://www.voachinese.com/a/rights-groups-eu-chinese-human-rights-20180615/4440260.html

Related:
NGOs to EU on Human Rights Crisis in China: “Failure to Robustly Challenge China’s Abusive Conduct Helps Enable it”
Human Rights in China, June 15, 2018
https://www.hrichina.org/sites/default/files/joint_ngo_letter_to_presidents_tusk_and_juncker_-_eu-china_summit_-_13_june_2018.pdf

中国当局强迫藏人学唱红歌迎“七一” (Chinese authorities force Tibetans to “Sing Red” to celebrate July 1 National Day)
Radio Free Asia, June 14, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/shaoshuminzu/dz-06142018094815.html

Hong Kong (香港)

Hong Kong justice department warns insulting judges online could amount to contempt of court
South China Morning Post, June 15, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-law-and-crime/article/2150878/hong-kong-justice-department-warns-insulting

China to have joint immigration control of new Hong Kong rail terminus
The Guardian, June 15, 2018
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/15/china-to-have-joint-immigration-control-of-new-hong-kong-rail-terminus

【割地成真】一地兩檢三讀通過 西九站劃內地管轄區 實行內地法律 (Critics say passage of law on co-location checkpoints allowing enforcement of mainland law inside West Kowloon Station is tantamount to concession of Hong Kong territory)
The Stand News, June 15, 2018
https://www.thestandnews.com/politics/割地成真-一地兩檢三讀通過-西九站劃內地管轄區-實行內地法律/

Related:
民主派向立法會主席提出不信任議案 (Pan Dems draft “no confidence” motion against LegCo president)
inmediahk.net, June 15, 2018
https://www.inmediahk.net/node/1057712

【一地兩檢集會】學生斥梁君彥濫權玩晒 站出來對抗議會暴力 (Students vow resistance against co-location “violence,” accuse Legco president of abuse of power)
inmediahk.net, June 15, 2018
https://www.inmediahk.net/node/1057706