{"id":4444,"date":"2025-12-05T13:50:07","date_gmt":"2025-12-05T13:50:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inernews.online\/?p=4444"},"modified":"2025-12-05T13:50:07","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T13:50:07","slug":"hong-kong-student-union-suspended-over-calls-for-justice-for-fire-victims-human-rights-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inernews.online\/?p=4444","title":{"rendered":"Hong Kong student union suspended over calls for justice for fire victims | Human Rights News"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Hong Kong Baptist University student union says suspension was \u2018unfounded\u2019 and may have \u2018ulterior motives\u2019.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A university in Hong Kong has suspended the operations of its student union after messages were posted on campus expressing condolences and urging justice for the victims of a major deadly fire.<\/p>\n

The Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) confirmed to the AFP news agency on Friday that it ordered the HKBU Student Union\u2019s acting executive committee to suspend its operations \u201cwith immediate effect until further notice\u201d. It did not mention the fire and the union\u2019s call for justice in its statement confirming the suspension.<\/p>\n

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Hong Kong residents have been demanding answers from the city government after a fire that ripped through Wang Fuk Court in the city\u2019s northern Tai Po district last week, killing at least 159 people in what was described as the world\u2019s deadliest residential building fire since 1980.<\/p>\n

In a statement published by the Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP), HKBU cited the student union\u2019s low membership rate, lack of a \u201cstrong commitment\u201d to improve the welfare of students, and failure to \u201cabide by the regulations\u201d of the university on financial matters, as reasons for the indefinite suspension.<\/p>\n

The union rejected the reasons in a statement on social media, calling them \u201cunreasonable\u201d, \u201cunfounded and arbitrary\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe university\u2019s irrational action raises concerns about potential ulterior motives behind this forced suspension,\u201d AFP cited the union as saying.<\/p>\n

In a separate statement published by HKFP on Friday, the union said membership has increased \u201csixfold\u201d compared with last year, despite attempts by the university to block efforts by students to improve the union.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday, social media users circulated photos of a message stuck onto a student union-run notice board, nicknamed the \u201cdemocracy wall\u201d, which expressed condolences for those killed in the fire.<\/p>\n

The unsigned message continued: \u201cWe are Hongkongers,\u201d and urged the government to be receptive and respond to public demands so justice can be done.<\/p>\n

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#HongKong<\/a> authorities continue to squelch the angry, grieving voices of #HongKongers<\/a>: Baptist U covers student union billboard: “Deepest condolences to the Wang Fook Court fire victims. WE ARE HONGKONGERS. We ask the gov’t to heed the public’s call\u2026.so justice may be served.” pic.twitter.com\/kcKXK4gtG8<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Hong Kong Democracy Council (@hkdc_us) December 3, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The wall was later blocked off by university security personnel with tall barricades, according to news reports from Hong Kong.<\/p>\n

Kevin, a HKBU student who declined to give his surname, told AFP that he found the noticeboard message to be \u201cpositive\u201d and said it drew attention from students walking by before it was sealed off.<\/p>\n

The university did not respond to AFP\u2019s questions regarding the democracy wall.<\/p>\n

Authorities have warned against crimes that \u201cexploit the tragedy\u201d and have cracked down on calls for accountability, arresting at least three people for sedition in the fire\u2019s aftermath.<\/p>\n

On Thursday, reports said that authorities also arrested a Hong Kong YouTuber for alleged \u201csedition\u201d over remarks about the Tai Po fire.<\/p>\n

Student unions at Hong Kong universities were once hotbeds of political activism and played a role in the city\u2019s huge and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests in 2019.<\/p>\n

But they either shrank their operations or were shut down entirely after a heavy crackdown by the authorities, and when Beijing imposed a national security law in Hong Kong in 2020 that critics say has curbed dissent in the autonomous Chinese city.<\/p>\n

On Sunday, the city is scheduled to hold a \u201cpatriots only\u201d legislative election, but turnout is expected to be low, with residents saying they are angry at authorities.<\/p>\n

The vote\u00a0has been viewed\u00a0by some analysts as a\u00a0test of legitimacy\u00a0for the\u00a0Hong\u00a0Kong\u00a0government as it tries to soothe public anger over the fire\u00a0and oversee\u00a0an ongoing national security crackdown.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n