Macao Conscience predicts dire consequences if academic freedom is not respected

Macao Conscience delivered a petition yesterday, which alleged that breaches of the right to freedom of expression and academic freedom took place during recent incidents at a number of universities in Macau. The group has urged the Chief Executive to establish a committee in order to investigate these incidents.
According to Jason Chao, a member of the group, university authorities persecuted a number of university instructors who were critical of the government and who encouraged students to participate in social affairs. Chao alleged that university authorities delayed employment contract renewals and dismissed academics, amongst other means of persecution.
Moreover, in the congregation at the University of Macau, a student who held up a placard in support of the persecuted scholars, and a journalist allegedly representing New Macau Association publication Macau Concealers, were both forced out the congregation venue by the university management.
Macao Conscience stated in the petition: “The freedom of academia, expression, and media is fundamental for social development. Infringement of this freedom cannot but silence various social sectors. This is unlawful. Without the voices of academics and critics, the government is unable to fully understand the strengths and weaknesses of its policies and administrative structure. The general public is unable to understand social issues and provide meaningful advice for the government. In the end, the quality of governance and the vision of the public cannot be improved. This contradicts the SAR government’s policy of fostering different types of talent.”
The group also deems that academic freedom is integral for the development of tertiary education. “The SAR government allocates a large sum of public funding to develop local universities every year in order to raise their international status. If academic freedom is suffocated, recruitment of overseas scholars and students will be much affected. The public funds for tertiary education will then be squandered,” reads their statement.
The group urged the CE to set up a committee in order to investigate these incidents and the universities’ alleged infringements of the freedom of academia, expression and media. They also requested local authorities, including the Labor Affairs Bureau and CCAC, to investigate the universities for the alleged violation of criminal and labor laws.
Macao Conscience also encouraged public and private universities alike to set up supervisory labor unions designed to safeguard the freedom of academia, expression, and media. Meanwhile, the group also stressed the need for legislation on labor union laws that will protect unionists being persecuted by university authorities.