Hong Kong student unions unite against university leaders’ claims of ‘abuse’ of free speech
Student groups from 12 institutions urge school leaders to ‘stop misleading public’ as row over pro-independence posters continues
The student unions of 12 Hong Kong universities have issued a unified response to a joint statement from 10 university heads condemning “recent abuses” of freedom of expression, as the row over pro-independence materials on campuses continues into its third week since the beginning of the school year.
Beginning with the same phrase, “we treasure the freedom of expression”, the students called it “a right that we are born with”.
While the vice-chancellors wrote that such freedom comes with responsibilities, and that the universities did not support Hong Kong independence because it contravened the Basic Law, the unions replied that teachers and students still enjoyed the freedom of speech to discuss the issue, and that such discussion was protected under Article 27 of the city’s mini-constitution.
Article 1 of the Basic Law says Hong Kong is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China. Article 27 says Hong Kong residents shall have freedom of speech, of the press and of publication.
The student unions concluded by urging the universities to stop misleading the public.