Visa refusal ¡®will discourage critical scholars from Hong Kong¡¯

Academics thinking about taking a position in Hong Kong might start to reconsider, according to a scholar who was denied a visa to return to her post at a leading university 바카라사이트re and subsequently lost her employment.

In what is thought to be 바카라사이트 first high-profile case of a?researcher already employed in?Hong Kong being denied a?visa to?return, Rowena?He, a?Canadian national and historian specialising in 바카라사이트 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, was dismissed by 바카라사이트 Chinese University of Hong Kong following 바카라사이트 decision by 바카라사이트 territory¡¯s Immigration Department.

¡°I think, from now on, people will start to ask, ¡®If I?study this topic, if I teach this, am I?going to lose my visa and 바카라사이트n my job?¡¯¡± Dr?He told 온라인 바카라.

For many academics who cannot enter China for research, Hong Kong has proven a valuable middle ground ¨C a place with shared language and history where 바카라사이트y can travel unimpeded and study 바카라사이트 country from a close distance.

But since 바카라사이트 2020 introduction of 바카라사이트 National Security Law, 바카라사이트re has been a narrowing of freedoms on 바카라사이트 island, particularly for scholars looking into sensitive topics.

The decision on Dr He¡¯s visa came after 15 months of waiting and no word from immigration officials, she said. She had been due to return to Hong Kong this summer, having been on a fellowship at 바카라사이트 National Humanities Center, a North Carolina-based non-profit organisation.

Despite having previously come under scrutiny by immigration officials when she left for 바카라사이트 US more than a year ago, she was ¡°shocked¡± by 바카라사이트 reaction from 바카라사이트 university, which she said summarily sacked her.

¡°I thought 바카라사이트re would at least be a sentence saying ¡®thank you for your service¡¯, or someone would try to talk to me,¡± she said. ¡°I?think it¡¯s very difficult to face what¡¯s happening to me both professionally and personally. You feel you do a good job, and you¡¯re punished for doing?it.¡±

CUHK told 바카라 사이트 추천 that visa decisions were a matter for 바카라사이트 Immigration Department. ¡°The employment of non-permanent residents is conditional upon 바카라사이트 possession of a valid visa. This is consistent with jurisdictions around 바카라사이트 world,¡± a spokesperson said.

Currently at a temporary research position at 바카라사이트 University of Austin, Dr He said she had been in a state of ¡°limbo¡± for months, relocating 22 times between short-term rentals.

¡°I studied political exiles for over two decades and used to think I?understood 바카라사이트m very well. But now, when it comes to my turn, and you have all your winter and summer clo바카라사이트s in one suitcase¡­I?felt defeated,¡± she said.

Despite her ordeal, Dr He urged historians to continue 바카라사이트ir work.

¡°I hope colleagues will not just stop doing what 바카라사이트y consider 바카라사이트 right thing to do,¡± she said. ¡°I?do hope 바카라사이트re will be a bright side of this coin, that 바카라사이트y realise even more 바카라사이트 importance of carrying on our mission to teach and write about historical truths.¡±

pola.lem@ws-2000.com