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Jiang Chuqin

Susan Su

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has suspended the operation of its student union after removing messages from campus that demanded justice for victims of the Tai Po fire, days after police made arrests for alleged sedition in connection with the blaze.
According to the union, they were informed by the university on Thursday night that their operations had been halted until further notice.
The university did not specify whether the suspension was linked to the union’s recent posts about the devastating fire at Wang Fuk Court on the campus bulletin board it runs, next to a “democracy wall”.
“We are writing to inform you that the university will suspend the operations of your committee with immediate effect until further notice,” the university’s office of student affairs said in a letter to the student union’s acting executive committee.
The suspension was attributed to several reasons, including the low proportion of students holding union membership, the committee’s alleged lack of commitment to welfare and its perceived reluctance to comply with university regulations on matters such as financial management.
The student union issued a statement online on Friday, saying it had received the letter at 7pm the previous evening and condemning the institution’s “hasty decision”.
It refuted the reasons given by the office, arguing that the decline in union membership stemmed from the university’s discontinuation of membership fee collections starting in the 2021–22 academic year.
The union also accused the university of delaying event approvals and reclaiming areas previously managed by the union under the pretext of “replanning the campus space”.
It added that it had closely followed up with the university in hopes of reaching a consensus on financial management.
“Now the university’s hasty decision raises questions as to whether there is another reason behind that has forced it to stop our operations,” the group said.
“The reasons provided by the school have no basis in fact and are pure framing, which not only denies the hard work of the student union but also fails to consider the welfare, rights and interests of the students, placing the student union at risk in an unreasonable way.”
The university’s action came two days after messages were posted on the union’s notice board, also known as a democracy wall, on Tuesday.

The posters expressed condolences and called for accountability, stating, “Deepest condolences to the victims of the Wang Fuk Court fire” and “We are Hongkongers”.
Another message read: “We earnestly request the government to heed good advice, respond to the public’s needs and ensure that justice is served.”
By Wednesday, the wall had been cordoned off with red barriers and used as a temporary storage space.
On Friday morning, a Post reporter found the posters had been removed, while the barriers and a sign designating the area as storage remained in place.
Bosco Wong, a senior computer science student, said the union represented students’ interests.
“Having the student union is better than not having one,” he said.
Commenting on the fire, he added: “I think it’s clearly a systemic problem, which allowed things to happen that shouldn’t have happened.”
Alex Yep, another computer science student, described the wall as useless, saying he preferred to email or call school staff directly when making requests.
Another student, identified only as K, said he could not understand why the university was being so sensitive.
“No one will dare to speak up like this again in the future,” the student said.
In response to the Post, the university confirmed that it had suspended the union’s operations until further notice, citing the same reasons stated in the letter.
Last Saturday, national security police officers in Hong Kong arrested a man on suspicion of attempting to incite sedition in connection with the tragedy.
Police did not name the suspect, but a source earlier said a man, identified as “Miles”, had been taken to a police station for questioning.
It was reported that a person called Miles Kwan and a group of unidentified individuals had set up the Tai Po Wang Fuk Court Fire Concern Group, which launched a petition calling on the government to address four demands.
The demands comprise providing support for affected residents, examining the system for supervising construction work, setting up an independent commission of inquiry and pursuing accountability while holding government officials responsible.


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Hong Kong

Education

University accused of silencing union after removing messages from campus mourning victims of the deadly Tai Po blaze and calling for justice


University accused of silencing union after removing messages from campus mourning victims of the deadly Tai Po blaze and calling for justice.


Hong Kong fires and safety

Hong Kong Baptist University

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong Baptist University suspends student union amid fire-related messages

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}University accused of silencing union after removing messages from campus mourning victims of the deadly Tai Po blaze and calling for justice

University accused of silencing union after removing messages from campus mourning victims of the deadly Tai Po blaze and calling for justice