Responding to the arrest of a Hong Kong student who launched a petition demanding government accountability following a deadly fire in the city’s Tai Po district, Luk Chi-man, the Executive Director of Amnesty International Hong Kong Overseas, said:  

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of residents, workers, and firefighters who tragically lost their lives in the fire, and we wish a swift recovery for all those injured.

“Now is the time for the Hong Kong authorities to transparently investigate the causes of the devastating fire in Tai Po, rather than silencing those who ask legitimate questions.

“Even as we mourn, we cannot ignore the need to bring justice to the affected families as well as to prevent as much as possible the reoccurrence of similar tragedies. We urge the Hong Kong authorities to establish the full facts of last week’s tragedy through a thorough, independent, impartial and open investigation, and to publicly clarify the cause of the fire, hold relevant persons accountable and release all findings without delay.

“It is both a right and a duty for people in Hong Kong to demand this kind of accountability; but rather than recognise this, the Hong Kong authorities have instead chosen to silence those who raise their concerns and demands.  

“A healthy society should not have only one voice.”

 Sedition charges for uni students organising petition

The Wang Fuk Court fire in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong broke out on 26 November and has claimed at least 146 lives.

On 29 November, an individual who launched a petition demanding accountability was arrested by national security authorities on suspicion of “sedition”, according to local media reports. The university student, who had urged the government to respond to “four demands” in the aftermath of the fire, was reportedly released on bail on 1 December.

 Local media reported that another two people were arrested on 30 November on “sedition” charges in relation to the fire.