Defend Hong Kong's academic freedom, petition urges, in wake of political pressure
Some 500 politicians, journalists and scholars publish plea in newspapers
About 500 politicians, academics and journalists have signed a petition urging Hongkongers to defend academic freedom following recent alleged political pressure on the University of Hong Kong.
The petition, entitled "Defend academic freedom, protect our city and our educational institutions," was published in local newspapers yesterday.
It called on Hongkongers to join their cause and fight to ensure that academic freedom and the autonomy of educational institutions, as guaranteed under the Basic Law, are honoured and preserved.
Signatories include former chief secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang, pan-democratic lawmakers Albert Ho Chun-yan, Lee Cheuk-yan, Dennis Kwok and former legislator Audrey Eu Yuet-mee.
The academics signing the petition included Eric Cheung Tat-ming, principal lecturer in HKU's law faculty, and Ivan Choy Chi-keung, a senior lecturer and political analyst at Chinese University.
Veteran journalist and former mainland detainee Ching Cheong, former Bar Association chairwoman Gladys Li and film critic Kenneth Ip have also signed.