Dissident Dies Shortly After Release

A legal rights promoter who fought forced evictions in Shanghai and was jailed for two years died shortly after being released on medical parole, said Human Rights in China, a group in New York. The authorities in Shanghai had rejected requests by the family of the promoter, Chen Xiaoming, to release him early on the ground that he had a chronic illness. Mr. Chen, who was jailed for “disturbing order in court,” died of a hemorrhage after being moved to a civilian hospital on July 1, the group said.