HKBU Suspends Student Union After Calls for Justice Following Deadly Fire

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has suspended its student union with immediate effect after messages appeared on campus mourning victims of a devastating residential fire and demanding justice. The move comes in the wake of the blaze at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, which resulted in one of the deadliest residential fire disasters in decades.

University authorities stated that the suspension was prompted by governance concerns, alleging that the student union represented only a small portion of the student population and had failed to follow institutional regulations, including those related to financial management and welfare services. The acting executive committee was informed that all operations would be halted until further notice.

The student union sharply refuted these claims, calling the action unjustified and suggesting it may be linked to the condolence message displayed on the campus “democracy wall.” The unsigned note expressed sorrow over the tragedy and urged authorities to respond transparently to public demands regarding the cause of the fire and potential lapses.

Students reported that the message drew attention for its subdued tone and focus on accountability. However, shortly after it appeared, the area around the democracy wall was cordoned off, and access was restricted by campus authorities. This sequence of events has raised questions about whether the suspension was motivated by administrative concerns or by a desire to curb expressions of dissent.

The incident has revived wider concerns about the shrinking space for free speech on Hong Kong university campuses. Student unions, once prominent voices in public debate, have faced increasing pressure since the introduction of the national security law, which has led many institutions to distance themselves from student-led political activities. Several unions have been dissolved or stripped of recognition in recent years.

In the aftermath of the fire, officials have warned against attempts to use the tragedy for political mobilisation. Multiple individuals have reportedly been detained under sedition-related charges for remarks calling for accountability. Critics argue that such actions risk silencing legitimate calls for transparency and reforms in public safety and housing oversight.

The suspension of the HKBU student union now adds to concerns about institutional autonomy and student rights. While the university maintains that its decision is rooted in policy enforcement, students and observers fear it may further inhibit open discourse on campus.As the city continues to mourn the victims of the Tai Po fire, the dispute underscores deeper tensions surrounding civil liberties, governance and freedom of expression in Hong Kong’s academic environments.