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HKBU Suspends Student Union After 'Democracy Wall' Notice Urging Justice For Deadly Wang Fuk Court Fire

02:26 PM, 12/05/2025
HKBU Suspends Student Union After 'Democracy Wall' Notice Urging Justice For Deadly Wang Fuk Court Fire

Hong Kong Baptist University has suspended the acting executive committee of its student union after a condolence note posted on the campus "democracy wall" urged government action and justice for victims of the Wang Fuk Court fire, which killed at least 159 people. The university cited low membership and alleged rules and financial-management breaches, while the union called the suspension "unfounded and arbitrary." The noticeboard was later barricaded and authorities have reportedly arrested at least three people on sedition-related charges. Student unions' activity in Hong Kong has been sharply reduced since the 2020 national security law.

HKBU Suspends Student Union Following Notice Calling For Fire Justice

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has ordered the acting executive committee of its student union to suspend operations "with immediate effect until further notice" after a message posted on a student-run noticeboard urged justice for victims of a devastating residential fire.

The blaze that tore through Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po last week killed at least 159 people, making it the deadliest residential building fire worldwide since 1980. Photos circulated on social media showed a note on the union's so-called "democracy wall" expressing condolences and calling on the government to respond to public demands.

"We are Hongkongers. Urge the government to be receptive and respond to public demands so justice can be done."

HKBU told AFP that the suspension was also motivated by concerns that only a small percentage of students are union members and that the committee had not demonstrated a willingness to follow university regulations in areas such as financial management. The student union rejected those reasons on social media, calling the move "unfounded and arbitrary" and warning the decision suggested possible ulterior motives.

An AFP reporter later saw the noticeboard blocked off behind tall barricades on campus. A student who identified himself only as Kevin described the message as "positive," saying it drew attention from passers-by before the wall was sealed.

Authorities have cautioned against crimes that "exploit the tragedy" and reportedly arrested at least three people on sedition-related charges in the wake of the fire. Student unions in Hong Kong were once major centers of political activism and played prominent roles in the 2019 pro-democracy protests. After Beijing introduced a national security law in 2020, many university unions scaled back activities or were shut down entirely amid concerns that dissent has been constrained.

HKBU did not respond to AFP questions about the barricaded noticeboard.

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