HRIC Weekly Brief
January 30, 2024
Top News 头条
Last Thursday, Hong Kong leader John Lee used a Q&A session at the Legislative Council to double down on the upcoming National Security Law under Article 23. In an unusually candid assessment of the new government’s priorities, Lee said that the city plans to prioritize new legislation clamping down on civil society over economic prosperity or growth. He further announced the creation of special teams aimed at promoting Article 23 and at pushing back against criticism of the law online. Lee’s comments were particularly hostile towards international NGOs, referring to them obliquely as “wolves” threatening the city through anti-China activities “in the guise of so-called human rights.” Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao reported that Amnesty International and Greenpeace may be among those organizations targeted as national security threats under the new law.
Following China’s Universal Periodic Review, analysis last week pointed to mixed feelings in the international community. Some activists felt that China failed in redirecting attention away from its human rights abuses, but that real change would require players like the United States to follow through on their support. Western countries certainly used the opportunity to challenge China on its abuses in Tibet and Xinjiang, as well as against minorities, journalists, and civil society, but many smaller countries fell in line and praised China’s efforts. Some commentators felt that China’s efforts to manipulate the forum may have reduced the effectiveness of the mechanism. However, member states were responsive to the issues raised by civil society in the lead up to the review: 11 countries raised LGBTQ+ rights as an issue during this review, nearly twice that of the prior cycle, and at least eight states recommended the repeal or revision of Hong Kong’s National Security Law.
Special Feature – Who is Huang Xueqin?
Feminist journalist Huang Xueqin has been wrongfully detained by the Chinese government for over two years. But who is Huang Xueqin to those who know her best? Read WOMEN我们's longform feature piece on Huang Xueqin, now translated into English by Human Rights in China.
Law & Policy 法律与政策
China tests new ethnic assimilation policy on Uyghurs: In Xinjiang, a new law aims to further erase Uyghur culture in favor of patriotic uniformity.
Chinese courts to rule on Hong Kong commercial disputes under new law: As of Monday, Chinese courts have the authority under a new law to enforce rulings in Hong Kong commercial disputes. Proponents of the law say it will reduce re-litigation, while critics say it “erodes the differences” between the Hong Kong and Mainland legal systems.
‘I just want my money back’: Hong Kong delivery platform workers denied compensation seek labour protections: In Hong Kong, vague and outdated laws that categorize delivery drivers as self-employed are causing chaos for drivers who say they are owed months of wages.
US House bill would curb genetic info sharing with China's Wuxi Apptec, BGI: The United States’ Select Committee on the CCP has proposed a bill that would forbid federally funded medical providers from providing Americans’ genetic information to Chinese biotech companies, including WuXi Apptec and BGI Group, a company known to work with China’s military.
Cyber Security & Digital Rights 网络安全与数字权利
US disabled Chinese hacking network targeting critical infrastructure: In recent months, the United States has targeted botnets—a hacking strategy that targets vulnerable devices in order to reach other, more sensitive, targets—run by China-backed hacking group Volt Typhoon.
Eyeing China, US proposes 'know your customer' cloud computing requirements: The Biden Administration has proposed new customer identification regulations aimed at cloud computing companies, requiring them to identify foreign customers who are using their data to train AI models.
EU Tools Up to Protect Key Tech From China: The EU has announced a new economic security package as part of its China “de-risking” efforts, which proposes reevaluating screening measures for foreign direct investment and certain sensitive exports.
Related: EU moves to shield researchers from Chinese interference.
Diaspora Community & Transnational Repression 海外社群和跨国镇压
Stalking, Harassment & Fear of Reprisals: HRIC in Solidarity with Chinese Human Rights Defenders Outside China: Last week, Berklee College of Music student Wu Xiaolei was found guilty of stalking and threatening a fellow Berklee student for posting pro-democracy fliers. HRIC strongly condemns the targeting of student activists and emphasizes the responsibility of universities to protect students. (中文)
Related: Chinese music student convicted in US of threatening pro-democracy activist.
Chinese flag-wavers call in London cops over YouTuber's livestream: A confrontation in a London railway station between a livestreaming pianist who was accused of making racist comments and a group holding Chinese flags, who demanded that the pianist stop filming them, has raised concerns over freedom of speech, as the UK does not allow anyone to restrict others from filming or taking photos in public places.
Related: London YouTuber hid in van, received death threats after piano face-off.
Science fiction awards held in China under fire for excluding authors: The Hugo Awards, held in Chengdu in October of last year, published their full voting statistics in January which revealed that two Chinese-born authors who live outside China and have been vocally critical of the Chinese government were excluded and deemed ineligible despite earning a sufficient number of votes.
Human Rights Defenders & Civil Society 人权捍卫者与公民社会
Tibetan monk serving 3 years in prison for leading prayers during COVID lockdown: Lobsang Tashi, a Tibetan Buddhist monk from Kirti Monastery in Sichuan province, was detained and then tried in a secret trial in 2021 for holding prayers during the COVID-19 lockdowns and making offerings to the Dalai Lama for those who died during the pandemic. Tashi is expected to be released in 2024.
China reveals British national sentenced to jail in 2022 for spying: Chinese authorities have confirmed that British national Ian J. Stones, businessman who worked in China for decades before disappearing in in 2018, was sentenced to five years imprisonment on espionage-related charges in 2022. Stones’ daughter says her father has received inconsistent medical treatment, causing serious health issues.
Top Hong Kong court overturns Tiananmen activist Chow Hang-tung’s acquittal over 2021 remembrance vigil: In December 2022, Hong Kong activist Chow Hang-tung was acquitted of her 15-month sentence for “inciting” individuals to participate in a remembrance vigil for Hong Kong, an “unlawful assembly” under COVID-19 rules. Last week, Hong Kong’s top court overturned her acquittal, stating that Chow could not challenge the legality of the police ban as a defense in criminal proceedings.
Hong Kong press group says it received fresh HK$400,000 tax demand, with 6 years of accounts to be vetted: Hong Kong’s Inland Revenue Department has ordered HK$400,000 in back taxes from the Hong Kong Journalists Association, which is “perplexed” by the demand. In recent years, press freedom has plummeted and media organizations have become a target.
Some Hong Kong lawyers linked to 2019 protest humanitarian fund could see suspensions after police complaints: The Law Society of Hong Kong reported that it has concluded ten out of sixteen investigations into solicitors accused of connections to a fund that aided arrested protestors in 2019, and says some cases will be referred to a disciplinary tribunal for fines or even suspension.
China’s Reach & Internal Control 中国: 内控与外扩
Chinese Communist Party continues crackdown on LGBTQ+ people: In China, the atmosphere of repression towards LGBT groups has become increasingly severe over the last few years. As one man reported, “police have started harassing openly gay, bi or transgender people in public on the pretext that they are doing something illegal.”
International Responses 国际反应
US lawmakers tell Taiwan president-elect Lai Ching-te that support for island is ‘firm’: Two U.S. lawmakers, co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Taiwan Caucus, met with President-Elect Lai Ching-te in Taipei and reaffirmed American support for the island.
Related: China slams US 'provocation' in Taiwan Strait, pledges further drills.