Police Action In Universities Unlawful: Academics

A group of academics from various universities have seriously condemned the police for firing tear gas and arresting students on campuses – saying it is unlawful for officers to enter these areas.

The Scholars’ Alliance for Academic Freedom hit out at the police on Tuesday, accusing them of using an unnecessary level of force at the institutions – where students live and should be allowed to gather freely.

It added that the senior management of each university should immediately meet Chief Executive Carrie Lam to speak out against police operations to protect their students.

Associate professor Chan King-ming from Chinese University said it was wrong for the officers to have cracked down on the students at campuses.

Chan said students called for a strike and in response police surrounded and blocked them.

"It is very shameful to see this situation happening," he said.

"In my understanding, I don't think our students were trying to do harm to the general public. They were just gathering in campuses, inside campuses. It's quite unlawful for the police to crack down on any student gathering."

Chan told RTHK's Candice Wong the actions of police could lead to more people joining the protests as graduates of the universities will also now join the protests.

He said all universities in Hong Kong should suspend lectures for at least one week until the situation is resolved.