The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has sacked veteran pro-democracy activist Benny Tai from his tenured position as an associate professor of law in a move he called "the end of academic freedom" in the Chinese-ruled city.
Dr Tai was a leading figure in Hong Kong's 2014 "Umbrella" protests, which paralysed the city for 79 days as demonstrators occupied main roads demanding greater democracy.
He was sentenced to 16 months in prison last year for two public nuisance offences but released on bail pending an appeal - a conviction which prompted HKU to begin reviewing his position more than half a year ago.
Leading pro-democracy activists, Chan Kin-man (2nd L), Benny Tai Yiu-ting (2nd R) and Chu Yiu-ming (R) hold a banner in 2015. Source: AFP
"It marks the end of academic freedom in Hong Kong," Dr Tai said on Facebook of the decision by the governing council, which reversed an earlier decision by the university senate that there were not enough grounds for a dismissal.
"Academic institutions in Hong Kong cannot protect their members from internal and outside interferences."
Dr Tai was also singled out by Beijing officials earlier this month for his role in helping organise an unofficial primary vote for the opposition pro-democracy camp to select candidates for elections for the city's legislature this year.
Hong Kong law professor and pro-democracy activist Benny Tai walks out of the High Court following his release on bail Hong Kong on August 15, 2019. Source: AFP
China said at the time Dr Tai's goal was "to seize the ruling power of Hong Kong and... carry out a Hong Kong version of 'colour revolution'".
It said the vote was illegal and may have violated a new, sweeping national security law which many fear will erode freedoms in the semi-autonomous city, including those of the media and academia.
Chinese officials and the city's government have said the law will not affect rights and freedoms and that it was needed to plug security loopholes left by the city's failure to introduce such laws on its own.
A protester in Hong Kong is surrounded by police. Source: AP
HKU said in a statement its council "resolved a personnel issue concerning a teaching staff member" following a "lengthy", "stringent" and "impartial" process, without naming Dr Tai.
