CE condemns improper remarks appearing on university campuses
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"I was shocked to learn yesterday that extremely callous and insulting remarks targeting the Under Secretary for Education, who is grieving over the passing of her son, were posted on students' notice boards on the campus of the Education University of Hong Kong. I deeply regret and condemn such behaviour. The remarks are entirely disrespectful, against the moral values of society and cold-blooded. The whole community is shocked, grieved and enraged by the appearance of such remarks in a tertiary institution in Hong Kong. I personally got in touch with Professor Stephen Cheung Yan-leung, the President of the Education University of Hong Kong, yesterday night to express my deep concern on the matter," Mrs Lam said.
"I also noted that there are slogans on display on different university campuses advocating 'Hong Kong independence'. As I pointed out earlier in response to media enquiries, 'Hong Kong independence' runs against 'One Country, Two Systems' and the Basic Law as well as the overall and long-term interest of society. I condemn the continued appearance of such remarks on university campuses, which is in violation of our country's sovereignty, territorial integrity and development interests," Mrs Lam added.
Mrs Lam emphasised that the freedom of speech is not without limits, and that academic freedom and autonomy of tertiary institutions are not excuses for the advocacy of fallacies. The above-mentioned remarks have already overstepped the bottom line of society and the public will have their own fair judgement. She expressed the hope that the university administration will take appropriate action as soon as possible. She also said she hoped that different sectors of society would join forces to rectify such abuse of the freedom of speech so as to safeguard the core values of a civic society as well as defend the moral standard that a society like Hong Kong should have.
Ends/Friday, September 8, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:32
Issued at HKT 16:32
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