National security law: Chinese University of Hong Kong’s new student union steps down after school cut it off citing possible legal breaches
- Student union president says campaign of threats and intimidation against the group elected to run the body is behind the resignation
- University last week broke ties with the union on national security grounds, imposing tough measures on its executive committee
The Chinese University of Hong Kong’s (CUHK) student union announced its resignation on Monday, blaming what it described as an escalating campaign of threats and intimidation against its members and their relatives since school management severed links with the body on national security grounds.
Syzygia, the group elected last week to run the union, said it was stepping down two days after withdrawing its 80-page manifesto and other campaign statements which prompted the university to cut off support for the body and impose strict measures on its members.
“We sincerely thank every CU student, alumnus, staff and member of the public, as well as the student society, for their support,” said Isaac Lam Yui-hei, who is quitting as student union president.
“But at the same time, we have to announce a difficult decision: we have just submitted our resignation to the CUSU [Chinese University Student Union] council.”
Lam said the decision was made following a few days of consideration and debate within their cabinet, describing resignation as “the only solution”.