The tragic fire that broke out in Hong Kong’s Hung Fuk Yuen on November 26 has now claimed the lives of at least 159 people. In response to this disaster, the student union of Hong Kong Baptist University posted banners on the campus democracy wall to mourn the victims of the fire at Hung Fuk Yuen. However, the university administration later sealed off the area. The student union has condemned this action and called for dialogue.
In the early hours of December 5th, the student union of Baptist University issued a statement detailing how they were suddenly informed by the university administration to vacate and clear out the student union’s facilities by December 6th. The student union strongly criticized this decision, citing the lack of prior communication and rushed procedures.
The student union’s statement addressed the three reasons provided by the university administration, stating that they believe the student union has insufficient members and acceptance. They have demanded direct dialogue with the university administration to ensure the normal operation of the student union.
On December 2nd, the student union posted large banners on the campus bulletin board, expressing deep condolences for the victims of the Hung Fuk Yuen fire and stating “WE ARE HONGKONGERS” and urging the government to respond to public demands and uphold justice.
However, by the 3rd, the bulletin board and the surrounding democracy wall were covered and sealed off with barriers and warning signs indicating them as temporary material storage areas. According to Ming Pao’s report, security personnel at the scene prohibited journalists from taking photographs.
The university administration not only closed off the bulletin board area with large barriers on the 3rd but also instructed the student union to halt all related activities until further notice.
Following the fire at Hung Fuk Yuen, citizens initiated a petition that included four demands, including an independent investigation. One of the organizers, Miles Kwan, was arrested by the Hong Kong Police National Security Department on November 29 on charges of incitement related to the fire but was released on bail on December 1. This incident raised questions about the government’s attempts to suppress the truth about the fire.
Former District Councilor Cheung Kam-Hung and a female volunteer at the scene of the fire were also detained by the Hong Kong police on charges of “incitement”.
On December 2nd, the Hong Kong Democratic Development Association (HKDDA) planned to hold a civil journalist workshop on “Hong Kong’s High-rise Maintenance Policy”, inviting experts and commentators to discuss topics such as aid for the victims, setting up an independent investigation committee, government engineering supervision, and procurement issues. Participants included HKDDA Chairman Liu Sing-Lai, urban planner and Democratic Party Central Committee member Ng Wing-Fai, policy researchers, commentator Wong Ngan-yin, and HKDDA Secretary-General Kwok Wai-Shing.
However, on the same day, the organizers informed the media of the sudden cancellation of the workshop, stating that they were notified by a department and needed to cancel the event but did not disclose which department. Simultaneously, there were reports that Liu Sing-Lai, Wong Ngan-yin, and others were “invited to meet” by the police’s National Security Department.
Many analysts believe that since the handover of Hong Kong, the governance has gradually become more mainland-like, losing its traditional integrity. Under the shadow of the National Security Law, the democratic supervision system has been compromised. This recent tragedy has been magnified into a security threat to Beijing, aligning Hong Kong’s response more closely with that of the mainland.
(Path: Insights into the Hong Kong Fire under the Shadow of the National Security Law)