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, May 07, 2020

Xinjiang (新疆)

“人质外交”?维族学者消失三年后突现身 (“Hostage diplomacy"? Uyghur scholar reappears after being missing for three years)
Deutsche Welle, May 7, 2020

Access to Justice (司法公正)

上海杨浦区法院原院长任湧飞被双开:充当黑恶势力保护伞 (Former head of Shanghai Yangpu District Court is fired and stripped of Party membership for shielding criminal elements)
Beijing News, May 7, 2020

Access to Information (公众知情权)

Coronavirus may have jumped to humans as early as October, study says
South China Morning Post, May 7, 2020

欧盟:中国日报删除欧洲27国大使联名文章部分内容令人遗憾 (EU: China Daily deletes part of joint article by 27 European ambassadors, “EU-China ties vital amid global crisis”)
Voice of America, May 7, 2020

Government Accountability (政府问责)

新冠维权路漫漫,逝者家属受监控威胁 (COVID-19 rights protection arduous, family members of deceased under threat of surveillance)
Radio Free Asia, May 6, 2020

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

Hong Kong’s mass arrests are giving police crucial intelligence: people’s phones
Quartz, May 6, 2020

WeChat's surveillance of international users boosts censorship in China, researchers say
CBC News, May 7, 2020

Hong Kong (香港)

Mike Pompeo says US report assessing Hong Kong autonomy to be delayed until after Chinese legislative session; maintains coronavirus claims
South China Morning Post, May 7, 2020

北京逼香港法官表态“用实际行动”严惩黎智英等 (Beijing openly asks Hong Kong court to "use practical actions" to severely punish media tycoon Jimmy Lai and others)
Radio France Internationale, May 7, 2020

Hong Kong gov’t slams pro-democracy district councillors for protesting meeting cancellation
Hong Kong Free Press, May 7, 2020

立法會審議民主派提出削減警隊開支及官員薪酬等修正案 (Democratic LegCo members propose reducing police budget and government officials' salaries)
Radio Television Hong Kong, May 7, 2020

Wednesday, May 06, 2020

Access to Justice (司法公正)

只求「死也瞑目」的黃琦母親 (Mother of imprisoned June Fourth activist Huang Qi asks government to allow visit with her son before illness takes her away)
The Stand News, May 6, 2020

Related:
Grant a Dying Mother’s Wish
Chinese Human Rights Defenders, May 6, 2020

Government Accountability (政府问责)

Coronavirus Survivors Want Answers, and China Is Silencing Them
中国新冠幸存者寻求答案和公正,政府却令他们噤声

The New York Times, May 6, 2020

回声报:国际社会要求调查新冠病毒源的呼声高涨 (International calls for investigations into the source of COVID-19 mount)
Radio France Internationale, May 6, 2020

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

杀人嫌疑逃亡24年 却去自首 民众忧“健康码”如电子手铐 (Lack of “health code” forced murder suspect to turn himself in after 24 years on the run)
Radio Free Asia, May 6, 2020

Hong Kong (香港)

China calls Hong Kong protesters a 'political virus'
The Guardian, May 6, 2020

Hong Kong prisons need independent monitor, say activists, as ex-detainees allege abuse
Hong Kong Free Press, May 6, 2020

發稿讚「再出發大聯盟」 港澳辦籲除「黑暴」「攬炒」 促公權力機構和人士行動 (In statement, HKMAO praises new pro-Beijing group Hong Kong Coalition, urges public power organizations and figures to eradicate “black violence” and end “mutual destruction”)
The Stand News, May 6, 2020

Related:
国务院港澳办新闻发言人:“黑暴”一日不除,香港一日不宁 (Spokesperson of HKMAO: No peace in Hong Kong until “black violence” is eradicated)
Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, May 6, 2020

天水圍和你Sing 防暴警持槍入商場驅散發「限聚令」告票 (Armed riot police disperse protesters in Tin Shui Wai shopping mall, issue tickets for social gathering ban violations)
Ming Pao, May 6, 2020

Commentary (评论)

讀者來函:「一國兩制」到了最危險的時候? (Readers' mail: Is “one country, two systems” facing its most critical moment?)
The Initium, May 6, 2020

憲法未曾適用大陸 何以適用香港 (Constitution has never been applicable in China, how could it be applicable in Hong Kong?)
Ming Pao, May 6, 2020

香港民主党创党主席李柱铭专访:“新的一国两制”在破坏邓小平当年的承诺 (Interview with Martin Lee, founding chair of Hong Kong’s Democratic Party: The "new one country, two systems" is undermining Deng Xiaoping's promise)
British Broadcasting Corporation, May 6, 2020

Tuesday, May 05, 2020

Access to Information (公众知情权)

武汉病毒所移除照片 英国防大臣:中国要回答疑点 (UK defense minster: China must account for why Wuhan Virology Lab removed photos, info from its website)
Radio Free Asia, May 4, 2020

Government Accountability (政府问责)

简报:中国压制国内疫情追责言论;全球发力新冠疫苗 (Bulletin: China suppresses domestic speech seeking accountability for COVID-19 outbreak; global efforts to develop vaccine)
The New York Times, May 5, 2020

Hong Kong (香港)

Hong Kong police chief accuses Apple Daily of running target campaign against him, reveals the newspaper is being investigated for alleged fraud
South China Morning Post, May 5, 2020

Former Hong Kong leaders draft in city’s wealthiest tycoons, university presidents and other top public figures for coalition bid to revive city
South China Morning Post, May 5, 2020

Media tycoon Jimmy Lai not allowed to leave Hong Kong as part of his bail condition related to intimidation case at 2017 vigil
South China Morning Post, May 5, 2020

林鄭月娥:內會恢復運作後會優先處理國歌法 (Carrie Lam: LegCo House Committee to prioritize second reading of the National Anthem Bill after resuming session)
Now News, May 5, 2020

Related:
Hong Kong’s Carrie Lam backs move to let pro-Beijing lawmaker oversee committee and get anthem law passed
Hong Kong Free Press, May 5, 2020

8.31案提堂 遭控方突加保釋條件 李卓人轟「政治決定」 (Labour activist Lee Cheuk-yan slams prosecutor’s adding multiple bail conditions near end of 8.31 protest hearing as “political decisions”)
inmediahk.net, May 5, 2020

有網民發起屯門市廣場「和你唱」 防暴警到場戒備 (Protesters return to Tun Mun Town Plaza, riot police on guard)
Radio Television Hong Kong, May 5, 2020

Commentary (评论)

限聚令,警察政府怎捨得放手 (Social gathering ban—too good a weapon for police and government not to use)
inmediahk.net, May 5, 2020

Lord Alton: UK must impose sanctions on Hong Kong officials for human rights violations
Hong Kong Free Press, May 5, 2020

專訪傅華伶x陳文敏:應對國家安全,我們想要怎樣的香港?(Interview with Fu Hualing, Johannes Chan: In response to national security, what kind of Hong Kong do we want?)
Initium, May 4, 2020

瑞幸、全球化与五四精神 (Luckin Coffee, globalization, and the May 4 spirit)
Caixin, May 4, 2020

Monday, May 04, 2020

Xinjiang (新疆)

新疆大學師生被迫「亮劍」 宣誓效忠政府 抵制美《維吾爾人權法案》 (Uyghur students and teachers in Xinjiang universities are forced to vow allegiance to central government, criticize the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act)
The Stand News, May 2, 2020

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Coronavirus Survivors Want Answers, and China Is Silencing Them
New York Times, May 4, 2020

Access to Information (公众知情权)

DHS report: China hid virus’ severity to hoard supplies
Associated Press, May 4, 2020

澳大学生遭开除威胁 全因他公开批判中国的人权迫害 (Australian university student faces expulsion for publicly criticizing China's human rights abuses)
Deutsche Welle, May 4, 2020

Deutsche Welle Freedom of Speech Award: 17 laureates from 14 countries
Deutsche Welle, May 3, 2020

HRIC Note: Chinese citizen journalists Chen Qiushi, Fang Bin, and Li Zehua, who were disappeared by the authorities for documenting Wuhan’s COVID-19 epidemic, are among the recipients.

Government Accountability (政府问责)

Exclusive: Internal Chinese report warns Beijing faces Tiananmen-like global backlash over virus – sources
Reuters, May 4, 2020

美國會跨黨去信特朗普 要求正視中國言論審查 促北京釋放被囚記者 (In letter, cochairs of bipartisan U.S. congressional commission on China urge President Trump to advocate for detained journalists in China)
The Stand News, May 3, 2020

Related:
World Press Freedom Day: Chairs Ask POTUS to Advocate for Detained Journalists
Congressional-Executive Commission on China, May 1, 2020

Hong Kong (香港)

Beijing loyalist urges Hong Kong to pass national security law by next August
Hong Kong Free Press, May 5, 2020

Hong Kong lawmaker Starry Lee to take leadership of ‘urgent’ matters at legislative committee amid row over chair
Hong Kong Free Press, May 1, 2020

壁屋懲教職員被指酷刑虐打抗爭者 有人稱遭撼頭埋牆、唱《榮光》被掌摑 (Pik Uk Correctional Institution officer is accused of torturing protesters, smashing their head against wall, and slapping those who sing "Glory to Hong Kong")
The Stand News, May 4, 2020

連續兩日發稿評香港政局 中聯辦斥「西方反華政客」干涉港事務、抹黑一國兩制 (In 2 statements over 2 days, LOCPG condemns "Western anti-China politicians" for interfering in Hong Kong’s affairs, defaming "One country, two systems")
The Stand News, May 3, 2020

Related:
香港中联办发言人强烈谴责西方反华政客和组织干预香港事务 (LOCPG spokesperson strongly condemns anti-China politicians and organizations interfering HKSAR affairs)
Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong S.A.R, May 3, 2020

香港中联办发言人:严厉谴责极端激进分子无视民生疾苦再启“暴力揽炒” (LOCPG spokesperson: Harshly condemn the extremist radical elements relaunching violent mutual destructive protests, ignoring the great sufferings of the people)
Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong S.A.R, May 2, 2020

【反送中一周年】多個團體擬五、六、七月發起遊行集會 籲港人毋忘初衷 (Civil society groups plan rallies in May, June, July; urge Hong Kongers not to give up the struggle)
The Stand News, May 2, 2020