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, March 07, 2017

Access to Justice (司法公正)

709家属向全国人大寄呼吁书 (Families of “709” victims send letter to NPC urging improvement for torture prevention and complaint system)
Radio Free Asia, March 6, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/yf2-03062017101449.html

Chinese “police” visit parents of detained activist Jiang Tianyong to ask for his cooperation
Hong Kong Free Press, March 6, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/03/06/chinese-police-visit-parents-of-detained-activist-jiang-tianyong-to-ask-for-his-cooperation/

“More vaccine scandals” have yet to emerge: Chinese lawyers
Radio Free Asia, March 6, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/vaccines-03062017111658.html

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

VW's casual workers in China fight for equal pay
Deutsche Welle, March 6, 2017
http://www.dw.com/en/vws-casual-workers-in-china-fight-for-equal-pay/a-37821854

两会前严打 叶海燕再被搬迁 (Heightened suppression before Two Congresses, activist Ye Haiyan evicted again)
Deutsche Welle, March 6, 2017
http://www.dw.com/zh/两会前严打-叶海燕再被搬迁/a-37828924

Related:
全国“两会”期间加大对异议人士打压 (Heightened suppression against opposition during Two Congresses)
Radio Free Asia, March 6, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/zhengzhi/yl-03062017124513.html

Government Accountability (政府问责)

China rejects U.S. criticism on human rights
Xinhua, March 6, 2017
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-03/06/c_136107281.htm

Related:
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang's Regular Press Conference on March 6, 2017
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, March 6, 2017
http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xwfw_665399/s2510_665401/2511_665403/t1443498.shtml

“No separation of powers”: China’s top graft-buster seeks tighter party grip on government
South China Morning Post, March 6, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2076501/no-separation-powers-chinas-top-graft-buster-seeks

Hong Kong (香港)

Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying seeks “exemplary” damages in defamation suit against legislator Kenneth Leung
South China Morning Post, March 7, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/2076668/hong-kong-leader-leung-chun-ying-seeks-exemplary-damages

Related:
特首控梁繼昌UGL言論誹謗 泛民:損行政立法 謝偉俊:難睇 (Chief Executive brought case against Kenneth Leung for defamation over “UGL” claims, pan democrats say it harms relationship between legislation and administration)
Mingpao, March 7, 2017
http://news.mingpao.com/pns/dailynews/web_tc/article/20170307/s00002/1488823900594

Head of fund for jailed Hong Kong policemen rejects donations from three unnamed parties
South China Morning Post, March 7, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/2076647/head-fund-jailed-hong-kong-policemen-rejects-donations

Premier Li Keqiang’s warning on Hong Kong independence highlights Beijing’s displeasure, party mouthpiece says
South China Morning Post, March 6, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2076363/premier-li-keqiangs-warning-hong-kong-independence

China has the right to “step in” to Hong Kong election, top official says
Reuters, March 6, 2017
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-parliament-hongkong-idUSKBN16D127