[NEWS] CHINA’S CHONGQING CITY REFORMS LAW ON SEX WORK/ 重庆市对卖淫嫖娼者不再进行劳动教养

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New changes to Chongqing City’s local laws now eliminate reeducation through labor as a form of punishment for sex workers and their clients. China’s reeducation through labor system allows police to sentence people without trial for minor crimes. While far from decriminalizing sex work Professor Yang Weidong of the National School of Administration notes that with this important step ‘the legitimacy of reeducation through labor has been questioned.’ Read the article here (in Chinese.)  

法制网报道，重庆市修改地方法规，删除对卖淫嫖娼者实行劳动教养的规定。详细的中文报道，请查看这里。

[COMMENTARY] A Different -and Tragic- Outgrowth of the Chinese Healthcare System

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A disturbing trend is underway. According to an editorial in the latest edition of The Lancet, there is a surge in patient violence against doctors in Chinese hospitals. Root causes include “poor investment in the health system and in training and paying doctors, which can lead to medical errors, corruption, and poor communication between health professionals and patients.” The Lancet also highlights societal factors such as “negative media reports about doctors, poor public understanding of medicine, unrealistic patient expectations about treatments, and catastrophic out-of-pocket health-care expenses for families.”

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[NEWS] Call For Proposals, $20,000 For One-Year Projects

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Good news, The U.S. Embassy is now accepting proposals for the 2012 EAP/PD Small Grants Program. 

Proposals must support program activities that promote democratic practices, including development of civil society; foster freedom of information and independent media; increase transparency in government; support NGO capacity building; advance rule of law and judicial reform; promote civic education; encourage conflict resolution; prioritize human rights; and advocate for equal rights for ethnic minorities or women. Priority will be given to new projects or programs.
Grants may be made to non-governmental, not-for-profit organizations based in China that demonstrate long-term sustainability beyond the proposed program activity. 
See the full application here.

[NEWS] Global Fund Announces $1.6 Billion More in Funding Over Next 2 Years

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The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria announced this week a windfall of $1.6 billion dollars in additional funding available over the next two years. The statement points to “strategic decisions made by the Board,” including cutting staff by a surprising 7.4 percent. The new amount also includes a combined billion dollars in donations from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Japan. 

This news was roundly celebrated in places like Burma that were dealt a big blow with cuts to the Global Fund last year. The Guardian reports this week that “in a country where nearly 33% of people live below the poverty line, thousands of Burmese are unlikely ever to be able to afford ART, which, according to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), cost $30 a month.”