Hong Kong University of Science and Technology launches clampdown against intimidation, doxxing and hate as protest turmoil infects another city institution
- Security strengthened, student group’s affiliation suspended and disciplinary procedures opened at the public university
- Leadership warns of legal consequences following reports of physical harassment, malicious leaking of private data and intimidation, including a forced apology to camera
A university in Hong Kong is the latest institution to become embroiled in the protest chaos as senior management condemned escalating physical harassment and doxxing on campus, opened disciplinary procedures against some students and strengthened security.
In a strongly worded letter seen by the Post, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology’s public affairs office wrote on behalf of the university management to all staff and students deploring the “malicious disclosure of personal information in the public domain, and hateful social media postings”.
In the latest letter, the university listed four actions it had taken including requesting that Facebook remove the account ProgressUST for spreading hatred and discrimination, and asking the student union to axe the group from its list of affiliated societies. The union has suspended the organisation.
ProgressUST was established in 2012, drawing its membership from students and graduates who had previously taken part in protests at the university.
The other interventions referred to in the most recent letter included the university starting disciplinary procedures against recent violations of its code of conduct, such as “improper removal of materials and subsequent bullying, coercion and physical offences”.
It also urged university members who had their privacy violated or held safety concerns to approach the management, saying it was working with law enforcement agencies in case any crimes had been committed, as well as to enhance security on campus.
“We once again call for mutual respect. Now more than ever, we need to stand together as a community of scholars united by intellectual curiosity and human empathy,” the letter read.
On September 25, the president, vice-presidents and other top management issued a letter to urge all members of the university in Clear Water Bay, Sai Kung, to stop breaching the privacy of others and to remove online material that did so.
“Over the past few days, we have seen repeated instances of such unacceptable behaviour, including verbal and physical harassment, suppressing the speech of others, unauthorised disclosure and dissemination of personal data, intimidation, and bullying both online and in person. Such acts are expressly forbidden and cannot be tolerated,” it read.
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It cited a case on September 24, when a student who had previously removed some posters from the Big Character Poster Wall in the university, was surrounded by a group of students who pressured him into apologising on camera.
“Not only was the student in question in great distress, a colleague who attempted to mediate the situation was also identified and ridiculed on social media. As a community, we cannot allow these actions to continue,” the letter on September 25 read.
It added there could be legal consequences for some of the actions.
“When an HKUST member acts inappropriately, no one can take the matters into their own hands by penalising anyone in the ways that they deem fit,” it said.
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The management said they were investigating recent violations, including improper removal of materials and subsequent bullying, coercion and physical offences, for submission to a disciplinary committee.
“We are deeply dismayed by the anger and frustration triggered by recent conflicts on campus. All of us who have chosen to be members of HKUST have pledged to uphold respectful behaviour consistent with our shared values,” the management said.
