Student’s alleged jailing in China over Australian pro-democracy protests sparks calls for inquiry | Australian universities

Australia’s human rights commissioner said the alleged Chinese student sentenced to six years in prison by Chinese authorities for taking part in protests in Sydney highlighted “the very real and increasing risks of transnational oppression affecting people in Australia, including international students”.

Commissioner Lorraine Finlay told Guardian Australia she could not comment on the circumstances of individual cases but “no one should fear being punished abroad for exercising their legal rights to freedom of expression and peaceful protest here”.

The University of Sydney student went missing in December 2024 after returning to China and was allegedly charged with secession and sentenced to six years in prison for taking part in events, including two solidarity protests against ethnic minorities in China.

Finlay also called on the Albanian government to launch a special parliamentary inquiry into transnational repression to understand the scope of the problem.

“[Australia needs the inquiry to] “Listen directly to the views of those affected and identify concrete steps to better protect human rights on Australian soil,” Finlay said. “Such an investigation would send a clear message about our commitment to protecting democratic freedoms in Australia.”

Chinese international student activists also expressed concerns for their safety following the case.

Chinese student John*, who came to Sydney to study two years ago, told Guardian Australia he was “shocked but not surprised” by the student’s arrest.

“I feel bad for the student,” said John, who asked to use a pseudonym due to safety concerns.

In China, protest as a form of freedom of expression, regardless of its nature, is often subject to intense scrutiny by authorities. John, who attended rallies in Sydney, said he was “mentally ready for revenge”, although he described the agenda of the protests he attended as “relatively safe” and directly criticized China.

“The case made me a little more concerned about my safety while attending protests in Sydney,” he said.

Emma, ​​who asked to be identified only by her first name, said she knew the arrested student through the anti-China quarantine protest in Sydney and was shocked to hear the news about the student.

He called on the Australian government to offer greater support to international students speaking out for democracy despite the risks of political repression.

“For a Chinese citizen to participate in the competition requires many risks.” [protests] and China The Australian community has conflicting views on China,” said Emma. “Some are very pro-Chinese Communist party, while others are very critical of it.

“The Australian government must offer greater support to those who have the courage to stand up and speak out against an authoritarian government.”

Emma said she understood it could be difficult for universities to take action if a student had already been subjected to foreign pressure. “However [universities] can offer more support to those who are [at risk of repression] To seek asylum in Australia.”

Grace Street, president of the University of Sydney’s student representative council, criticized the university and the Australian government for their “serious failure in their duty to care for students, both past and present”.

“The university’s refusal to comment on the issue means that all students are suffering and are being implicitly told that the university will not support their freedom and right to protest injustice in this country,” he told Guardian Australia.

“International students generally feel vulnerable, exploited and unsupported.”

National President of the National Association for Higher Education, Dr. Alison Barnes called for an update to the university’s external interference guidelines “to keep pace with the rapidly changing geopolitical environment”.

The then-Coalition government introduced the guidelines in 2021 following growing concerns about foreign interference on campus and a report by Human Rights Watch that found pro-democracy Chinese students faced intimidation, harassment and fear of retaliation.

“Given that the Code clearly recognizes the importance of protecting academic freedom from external influence, which is the cornerstone of universities, it is critical that universities do everything they can to support this,” Barnes told Guardian Australia.

Justin Bassi, chief executive of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and former chief of staff to Marise Payne, who was involved in creating the government-led university foreign intervention task force, said “governments, and particularly university administrators, cannot pretend that their relationship with China is normal and involves only an economic partner.”

But he added that Chinese citizens had an individual responsibility to look after their own safety as it would be “very difficult” for the Australian government to prevent these people from being detained in China.

“The security of Australia and the security of Australia’s residents is not helped by remaining silent on China’s human rights abuses.”

* Name changed