By Choekyi Lhamo
DHARAMSHALA, APR 16: Drew Pavlou, a student activist at University of Queensland (UQ) in Australia faces possible expulsion for his criticism of the Chinese government. His fate hangs in limbo as officials are considering disciplinary action against him. Pavlou received a series of misconduct allegations against him last week, and is scheduled to face an online board meeting on Apr. 24 where authorities could decide to terminate his enrolment.
A member of UQ Senate, Pavlov has also been a vocal supporter of the Free-Tibet movement, the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, and has condemned China for its treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang. His opposition to the university’s contract with the controversial Confucius Institute, and his public comments critical of the university’s vice-chancellor are among the few allegations that is in the186-page dossier.
Tenzin Phuntsok Doring, President of Queensland Tibetan Community, told Phayul that Pavlou faces possible expulsion solely because of his activism against China. “We believe his strong opposition to the Chinese Confucius Institute and its strong connection to Peter Hoj, the Vice-Chancellor of the University coupled with Drew’s frequent political activities such as freedom movement for free Tibet and HK, Taiwan, Vietnam are reasons behind his possible expulsion.
“Drew is closely associated with the freedom movements of Tibet, HK, Uyghurs, and Vietnam. He spoke at Sydney Tibetan March Uprising Day this year at Brisbane. He became globally known when he was attacked physically by Chinese students in the UQ campus July last year during a protest supporting HK.”
The student activist told the Washington Post that he is “really concerned”. In the interview he said, “I think it’s really just an attempt to get back at me for my political views and activism, which has made things difficult for the university with their relationship with the Chinese government.” Pavlou’s activism on the campus helped him get elected to the university’s governing senate, giving him a platform to criticise restrictions placed on free speech due to China’s heavy-handedness in the Australian university.
UQ’s association with China and its propaganda outfit Confucius Institute has been under scrutiny from the government and other rights activists. The university has also seen Chinese students objecting to a Tibetan exile NGO, Gu-Chu-Sum’s exhibition last year in September where Pavlou tweeted with a photo, “Nationalist students surround two Tibetan demonstrators at UQ. They are filming them, saying their posters make them feel sick and the Tibetans have no right to display them: “This is harmful to China.”
UQ stood by its association with China citing “more student mobility, research collaborations, and commercialization partnerships with China”. UQ in a statement on Pavlou recently said, “It would not be appropriate for the university to comment on the specifics of this disciplinary matter. However, the university rejects Mr. Pavlou’s statement that the university’s process is an attempt to penalise him for airing his political beliefs.”
An online petition has called on the university to drop the charges against Drew Pavlou. The petition titled “Prevent the University of Queensland from silencing Drew Pavlou for fighting for justice” has already received 11, 423 signs.
4 Responses
It’s pretty shameful that an Australian university, dedicated to academic freedom & expanding knowledge, would seek to expel a student for speaking about China’s human rights violations & injustices. In communist China, Chinese students are expelled & even arrested for criticizing the Party. This Australian student is being punished for criticizing the Party & its policies. The long arm of the CCP is spreading its tentacles throughout Australia & the world.
The University of Queensland’s action to expel Drew Pavlou for criticising communist China and its propaganda arm, the Confucius Institute doesn’t sound like a University where there is freedom of speech.
Universities are places for young people to learn and think independently and have discourse on any topic to open up young minds and prepare them to the reality of the world. It’s supposed to be a temple of learning and a foundation of new ideas flowering in the fresh minds of future generations. How come that this university attempts to expel students who hold diverse and divergent ideas about communist China, somehow amounts to criminality that invites expulsion? Looked up the history of this university in Australia and found that it has even appointed the Chinese consul general in Brisbane called Xu Jie as a “visiting professor of language”!!! This brings into question the role of the Chancellor and President Prof Peter Hoj. He must have played an important role in appointing the Chinese consular which many intellectuals have raised eye brows. Diplomats work for the interest of their country who appointed them to the post. No wonder, the Chinese students studying in QU opposed the protests by Hong Kong students and scuffles broke out. It takes little intelligence to assume who was behind the Chinese students. There were people like Pavlou who were supporting the Hong Kong protestors. The Chinese consulate took exception that there were people who were not “Chinese”.
It incensed them that the Hong Kong students were getting support from people like Drew Pavlou and many other international students. It doesn’t take much common sense to conclude that this is the Queensland University doing the bidding of the CCP and its agents. When you put an official of a Government who who is openly hostile to freedom of speech, this is what you get! The Queensland University is in bed with the enemies of freedom of speech and Drew Pavlou is the victim of a morally and financially bankrupt Queensland University who has sacrificed its self-confessed values for a confetti of Chinese cash
Why most Western Universities are pro-China and ignoring Tibetan issue? I have applied to Queesland University to study political Science Masters, and have very good marks, but I was strangely rejected admission. Now I suspect the board discriminated against me for being a Tibetan, and thought I would engage in political activities, making Chinese students uncomfortable, thus losing money. It is all about money, these universities. so sad.
Keep up the good work we need you who have the right to expose the evil Chinese regime