Daily Archives: April 15, 2014

Chinese authorities scrapped their human rights dialogue with the U.K. government recently, citing irresponsible and careless remarks by the United Kingdom on human rights conditions in China.

A recent report on rights in China by the U.K. government was said to have engaged in unreasonable slander and criticism.

The Human Rights and Democracy Report 2013, published by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office on April 10,identified China as a country of concern.

The reportincludes the same basic description of human rights conditions in China that is provided by international human rights groups and other Western governments, including the United States.

Chinas economic growth continues to contribute to improved economic and social rights for many Chinese citizens, the report observes in its opening lines. However, civil and political rights remain subject to significant restrictions.

The section on China then goes over the most prominent cases of human rights abuse in the past year. It even includes guarded acknowledgement of some advances in human rights in China, such as promises, made in November (though since rescinded) that China would stop using organs from executed prisoners for transplant.

Chinas foreign ministry did not specify which part of the report was irresponsible and careless.

Hua Chunying, the foreign ministry spokesperson, however, gave some insight into the Chinese regimes thinking behind cancelling the dialogue with the U.K.

When engaging in dialogue between people, and between countries, Hua said, in a question and answer with reports that was published online, the principle of equality and mutual respect should be followed. The purpose is to, through dialogue, improve understanding, increase mutual trust, and promote cooperation.

Descriptions of abuses of human rights of Chinese citizens by Communist Party security forces do not appear to be in accord with this spirit, according to the Chinese view. Hua said that reports like those by the UK use the excuse of human rights to interfere in Chinas internal politics and the sovereignty of its judicial system.

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Angry With UK, China Cancels Human Rights Dialogue

Reporting on the leaks not only sparked international debate over the limits of government surveillance but prompted President Barack Obama to introduce curbs on NSA spying powers.

"We are particularly grateful for our colleagues across the world who supported the Guardian in circumstances which threatened to stifle our reporting," Guardian Editor in Chief Alan Rusbridger said in a statement.

"And we share this honor, not only with our colleagues at The Washington Post, but also with Edward Snowden, who risked so much in the cause of the public service which has today been acknowledged by the award of this prestigious prize," he said.

Russia granted Snowden temporary asylum last year after the U.S. Justice Department charged him with violating the Espionage Act.

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In giving Reuters its first Pulitzer for text coverage, the board commended Jason Szep and Andrew R.C. Marshall for their "courageous reports" on the Rohingya, who in their efforts to flee the Southeast Asian country often fall victim to human-trafficking networks.

"For two years, Reuters reporters have tirelessly investigated terrible human-rights abuses in a forgotten corner of the Muslim world, bringing the international dimensions of the oppressed Rohingya of Myanmar to global attention," Stephen Adler, Reuters editor-in-chief, said in a statement.

Szep, from Washington, said: "What we were writing about was under-reported. I hope through this, there is greater international attention to the risks and presence of religious violence in Myanmar."

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Guardian, Washington Post win Pulitzers

EUGENE, Ore. Local activists will rally in front of the downtown post office on Tuesday, with the message that taxes should pay for human needs, not war.

Every year, local activists rally in front of the post office on tax day. Theyre asking taxpayers where they think their tax dollars should be spent, and they set up something called a penny poll.

Organizers give each person ten pennies to drop into jars representing different budget categories. Those include human resources, physical resources, general government, military and paying down the debt.

Activists say each year, the results are consistent. About 50 percent of participants would like to see their tax dollars go toward human resources, compared to about 3 percent for the military. But the reality is the biggest chunk of your money, about 42 cents of every income tax dollar, goes to fund the military.

Activists believe that money should be redirected to local organizations like Sponsors, ShelterCare and Occupy Medical.

The rally is expected to be peaceful, with a group of about 50 activists. The penny poll begins at 11 a.m., followed by the rally at 12 p.m., where there will be music and speakers.

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Activists to Hold Tax Rally