National security law: move by Chinese University of Hong Kong to cut ties with student union draws outrage, as thousands sign petition
- More than 5,700 students, graduates and staff sign petition accusing university of depriving the body of its rights for political reasons
- CUHK announced move against newly elected union on Thursday for failing to clarify claims about institute that could be in breach of security law
A Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) decision to sever all ties with its student union on national security grounds and impose a host of tough measures on the body has provoked outrage among alumni and undergraduates, with thousands signing petitions against the action and some questioning the legal basis of the penalty.
It also demanded the body assume its own legal responsibilities by setting up an independent society or company, which the university argued was the practice of student unions of other local institutions.
University employee unions, students and alumni associations all slammed the call, a first in the student body’s 50-year history.
The controversy erupted earlier this month when Syzygia – a 12-member cabinet elected on Wednesday to run the union – accused the university of working with police to have students arrested following an attack on campus security guards.