Be a Uni Student, Criticise China and Face the Consequences By James Reed

     Yes, it is happening right here in Australia, and let’s quote from one of the big US mainstream publications, rather than smaller internet ones, that rip into the uni involved. And, this is to show that the story has gone right around the world, and the eyes of the international community are … watching:
  https://reclaimthenet.org/drew-pavlou-queensland/?utm_source=amerika.org
  https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/student-known-as-vocal-critic-of-china-faces-expulsion-from-australian-university/2020/04/16/1a1e0a9a-7ee0-11ea-84c2-0792d8591911_story.html
  https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/apr/16/university-of-queensland-takes-disciplinary-action-against-pro-hong-kong-student-activist
  https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/04/17/greek-australian-student-faces-expulsion-from-university-of-queensland-for-china-criticisms/

“An Australian university with close links to China is taking disciplinary action, including possible expulsion, against a student known for his criticism of Beijing, in a case that has triggered a free-speech debate and renewed scrutiny of colleges' reliance on Chinese students. The University of Queensland, which refers to itself as “partners in the global economy” with China, last week sent 20-year-old philosophy student Drew Pavlou a 186-page dossier detailing 11 allegations against him, including that he failed to pay for a pen at a campus art shop and damaged the university’s reputation by condemning police attacks on student protesters in Hong Kong in November. The disciplinary action alleges he ridiculed, satirized and mocked the university’s relationship with China, including posing in a hazmat suit outside the college’s Confucius Institute — one of many such facilities on Australian campuses whose operations and influence are being scrutinized as part of a government review. Pavlou, who has criticized China’s repression of its Uighur and Tibetan minorities and supported Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protesters, was told that his fate would be determined at a two-hour meeting with university officials on April 27, according to a person familiar with the document. “I’m really concerned,” Pavlou said in an interview. “I think it’s really just an attempt to get back at me for my political views and activism, which has made things difficult for the university with their relationship with the Chinese government.” Even in a country without explicit free-speech protections, the university’s disciplinary action against one of its most prominent students is considered highly unusual. In July, Pavlou was involved in a scuffle, and said he was punched by pro-Beijing students, during a rally in support of Hong Kong’s democracy movement at the university’s Brisbane campus.”

     Free speech? Sure. What’s the bet our prime minister does nothing, says nothing? Why not write to him to get his response?

 

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Friday, 22 November 2024

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