HKU Head Given Deadline To Condemn 'police Abuse'

Students have submitted a letter asking the University of Hong Kong's (HKU) vice-chancellor to condemn police actions and give support to students arrested over the ongoing anti-government agitation – days after Chinese University head Rocky Tuan promised such steps to his students.

The students said they have collected 2,600 signatures, including alumni and staff, in support of their petition and gave vice-chancellor Zhang Xiang until Monday to give a response.

On Friday, CUHK head Tuan had released an open letter, saying he will write to Chief Executive Carrie Lam asking for an independent probe into some allegations of abuse his students have complained about. Tuan also said that he would be willing to condemn any proven cases of brutality.

The HKU students said as well as a similar move by Professor Zhang, they also want a promise that the police will be barred from entering the university's campus.

About 50 students also held a demonstration holding placards that joked that Zhang was a missing person as he was not there to receive the letter. It was vice president Ian Holliday who accepted the letter from students.

Students said Zhang has not been seen since they held a late night talk at his residence in July. Holliday said Zhang is travelling.