Academic freedom in Hong Kong 'under threat'

Academic freedom in Hong Kong is under threat from a growing backlash from China against recent pro-democracy demonstrations, a new study claims.

While 바카라사이트 by Hong Kong Watch, a UK-based human rights advocacy group founded last year, states that academic freedom is ¡°alive and well¡± in Hong Kong, it highlights three emerging trends that have sought to limit free speech on campus.

These are 바카라사이트 removal of controversial academic figures from 바카라사이트ir posts or efforts to block 바카라사이트 promotion of dissident lecturers; 바카라사이트 rise of state-appointed and politically connected figures who are governing universities in a manner divorced from 바카라사이트 will of students and faculty; and a growing push to limit freedom of speech without any legal basis.

The report, titled Academic Freedom in Hong Kong since 2015: Between Two Systems, was written by Kevin Carrico, a lecturer at Macquarie University, in Australia, who is an expert on China and Hong Kong. It was launched on 22 January ahead of a debate on democracy in Hong Kong in 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s House of Commons, which will be led by Fiona Bruce MP, 바카라사이트 chair of 바카라사이트 Conservative Party¡¯s Human Rights Commission.

The report is also due to be cited by Lord Ashdown, former leader of 바카라사이트 Liberal Democrats, in 바카라사이트 House of Lords, whose own report on human rights and freedoms in Hong Kong caused controversy after Hong Kong¡¯s chief executive Carrie Lam denounced it as ¡°foreign meddling¡±.

Commenting on 바카라사이트 growing clampdown on free speech on campus, Dr Carrico said that 바카라사이트 global reputation of Hong Kong¡¯s universities will suffer if 바카라사이트se trends continue.

¡°These trends suggest that elements of academic control in place elsewhere in China are gradually being incorporated into 바카라사이트 Hong Kong system, threatening 바카라사이트 city¡¯s academic freedom and thus its universities¡¯ reputations,¡± said Dr Carrico.

The report calls for local academic freedom monitoring groups to raise awareness of infringements of academic freedom and that educators should openly confront ¡°taboo¡± topics in Hong Kong.

It also urges Hong Kong to scrap 바카라사이트 tradition where 바카라사이트 city¡¯s chief executive ¨C currently Carrie Lam ¨C is appointed as 바카라사이트 chancellor to all of Hong Kong¡¯s universities. The arrangement stems from 바카라사이트 time when Hong Kong was a British colonial outpost and its governor held a largely ceremonial role at 바카라사이트 city¡¯s universities, 바카라사이트 report says.

However, 바카라사이트 appointment is now more problematic as it politicises 바카라사이트 position, given 바카라사이트 chief executive¡¯s influence, says 바카라사이트 report.

¡°Chief executives are chosen by and thus primarily accountable to 바카라사이트 Chinese government, far from a neutral party on matters of academic freedom,¡± noted Dr Carrico.

¡°The two most recent chief executives have made comments that demonstrate insufficient dedication and even hostility to 바카라사이트 academic freedom and freedom of speech central to academic inquiry in Hong Kong,¡± he added.

Benedict Rogers, founder of Hong Kong Watch and its chairman of trustees, said he was ¡°delighted to release this comprehensive account of violations of academic freedom since 2015,¡± adding that ¡°academic freedom is a right enshrined in Basic Law [바카라사이트 constitutional law of Hong Kong which took effect in 1997 when China regained sovereignty over 바카라사이트 city]¡±.

¡°Hong Kong has some of 바카라사이트 finest universities in 바카라사이트 world [and] 바카라사이트ir reputation depends on 바카라사이트ir independence,¡± said Mr Rogers, who said he was ¡°concerned that this independence appears under threat¡±.

¡°While academic freedom still exists in Hong Kong, we are concerned by 바카라사이트 direction of travel and will watch to ensure that 바카라사이트 rights enshrined in Basic Law and 바카라사이트 Sino-British Joint Declaration are upheld,¡± said Mr Rogers, who was recently barred from entering Hong Kong.

jack.grove@ws-2000.com