Hong Kong university disbands student union following demands for fire justice

A university in Hong Kong has ordered the closure of its student union after a message honoring victims of a recent deadly fire appeared on campus, according to a letter released publicly on Friday.

The fire, which engulfed Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po last week, claimed at least 159 lives, marking it as the deadliest residential building fire globally since 1980.

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) announced it would "suspend the operations" of the student union's executive committee immediately and take control of their facilities, according to a letter shared online by the union.

The university cited issues such as insufficient representation and financial mismanagement, claims the student union described as "baseless and arbitrary." The union warned that the suspension "raises questions about possible hidden motives behind this forced closure."

Earlier in the week, social media users shared images of a message posted on the union's notice board, known as the "democracy wall," expressing condolences to the fire victims and urging authorities to deliver justice. The unsigned note read: "We are Hongkongers. Urge the government to listen and respond to public demands so justice can be done."

The notice board was subsequently blocked off with tall barricades, as observed by an AFP reporter. Kevin, a student at HKBU who requested only his first name, said he found the message "positive" and noted it attracted attention from passing students before being sealed off.

The university did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

Authorities have cautioned against exploiting the tragedy for criminal purposes, reportedly arresting at least three individuals for sedition following the fire. Hong Kong's student unions, once central to political activism and key participants in the 2019 pro-democracy protests, have been significantly curtailed or dissolved after the introduction of a national security law, which critics argue has limited public dissent.

Author: Benjamin Carter