Critically Acclaimed Director under Investigation for Violating the One-Child Policy

Critically acclaimed director Zhang Yimou, who is perhaps best known for orchestrating the opening and closing ceremonies at the Beijing Olympics, is being investigated for allegedly violating China's one-child policy by having seven children with four women. If found in violation of China's family planning laws, he faces up to US $27 million in fines.

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one-child policy

Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Releases International Religious Freedom Report for 2012

15 years ago, Congress passed the International Religious Freedom Act, asserting international religious freedom as a top priority of the United States, as well as a fundamental human right. The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, created by the act, released a summary of the state of international religious freedoms. In the report, China was cited under the "Government Restrictions and Abuses" section, meaning laws and policies impede on the religious freedoms. The report states:

religion

Huang Jiefu Responds To Criticism Over Involvement In Organ Harvesting

Australian-trained former vice health minister, Huang Jiefu, has responded to criticisms from Australian surgeons who are calling for his honorary titles from the University of Sydney to be stripped.

organ harvesting

The US and EU Must Collaborate to Promote Human Rights Worldwide

The Guardian writer, Edward McMillian-Scott, and famous Chinese activist, Chen Guangcheng, have called upon the US and the EU to join forces to promote human rights worldwide, not just in smaller nations. The pair argue that there seems to be different standards for human rights with smaller "insignificant" countries, compared to larger strategic partners. China as an economic superpower, yet a continuing systematic violator of human rights is highlighted, and it is suggested that the western superpowers cannot ignore the rights violations in favor of economic partnership any longer.

Thousands Protests the Construction of a Chemical Plant in Kunming

Thousands of protesters gathered in the southern city of Kunming in order to voice opposition to the construction of a chemical plant. The protesters claim that the plant would emit large amounts of paraxylene, a carcinogenic used to create polyester. Although authorities claim the plant would not adversely affect the local environment or the health of Kunming residents, they refuse to release reports describing the plant's potential environmental and health consequences. Police suppressed a similar protests in Chengdu earlier this month.

China Releases White Paper on Human Rights Progress in 2012

On Tuesday, May 14^th China released a paper detailing the claimed progress of human rights in 2012. The paper largely focused on the right to a clean environment, as well as freedom of speech. The report noted that environmental protection has become a large problem in China, and that the right to a clean environment is a right everyone is entitled to.