The University of Hong Kong Photo: hku.hk
After the vicious attack on a police officer on July 1, the University of Hong Kong (HKU) student union's review board Wednesday expressed condolences to the murderer and said it was "grateful for his sacrifice," drawing widespread criticism. The university authority has strongly condemned the student union's actions.
A spokesman for the HKU said that the university strongly condemns students who are glorifying violent attacks in the name of the student union's review board, local media outlet singtao.com reported on Wednesday.
"Students' use of 'sacrifice' to describe the alleged terrorist attack on the police officer will convey the wrong message to the community," said the spokesperson. "The university condemns all acts of violence and opposes any speech and behavior that promotes and rationalizes violence."
The response came after the student union's public condolences to the police attacker. "The Union Council expresses its deep sadness at the death of Mr Leung Kin-fai; offers its sympathy and condolences to his family and friends; and appreciates his sacrifice to Hong Kong," says a statement on the official website of the HKU student union review board on Wednesday.
Before the meeting began, the review board even observed a minute of silence for Leung.
The act also drew criticism from netizens, some of whom criticized the so-called university students for being "unscrupulous."
On July 1, Leung stabbed a police officer in the street and later killed himself in a lone-wolf style terrorist attack. The 28-year-old officer sustained a punctured lung in the attack and remains in a hospital, according to local media. The case was taken over by the national security department of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong government officials and police have warned that mourning for suspects involved in terrorist attacks is a glorification of terrorism and may violate the national security law for Hong Kong.
This incident exemplifies the urgent need to study changes to the legislation governing student unions, analysts say.
Global Times
