The University of Hong Kong’s governing council voted overwhelmingly to sack Benny Tai Yiu Ting, associate law professor of the university, for misconduct over his criminal convictions related to 2014 Occupy movement yesterday, according to Hong Kong local media.
Tai revealed the news in a Facebook post, noting “The decision to terminate my appointment was made not by the University of Hong Kong but by an authority beyond the University through its agents.”
“It marks the end of academic freedom in Hong Kong. Academic staff in education institutions in Hong Kong are no longer free to make controversial statements to the general public about politically or socially controversial matters. Academic institutions in Hong Kong cannot protect their members from internal and outside interference.
If there is still any doubt of the advancement of “One Country, One System” in the territory, my case should be able to remove it.” he wrote.
In a statement issued later on Tuesday night, HKU said its council had “resolved a personnel issue concerning a teaching staff member.”
It said under established procedures, the staff member was given a full opportunity to present the facts, submit statements and documents, and to make his case to various bodies, including the governing council.
“Following the stringent and impartial due process, and after careful deliberations and considerations, the Council has come to a decision. The staff member concerned is being informed of the outcome accordingly”, the statement said.
“In view of the requirements of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance and the principle of confidentiality, it is not appropriate for the Council or the University to disclose or comment on the details of the case.”
Tai was sentenced to 16 months in prison last April for two public nuisance offences related to 2014 civil disobedience movement.
