請尊重言論自由 Respect freedom of speech

請尊重言論自由 Respect freedom of speech

周偉文

來自香港的留學生於世界各地，在校園內建立不少連儂牆及展覽，介紹香港現時由反送中運動發展到大規模反政府示威，盼望能爭取國際社會的認同和支持。上週在昆士蘭大學校園的展覽中，這些香港學生受到來自中國大陸留學生的干擾及恐嚇，展覽受到了破壞，並且有打人的情況。在奧克蘭大學，有學生推倒守護連儂牆展覽的女學生，警察正在調查中。

在網絡看到這些短片，我見到這些來自中國的學生，強調香港是中國一部份，對於在香港現時發生的示威，認為是港人要求獨立，因此反對香港學生宣揚港獨。不過在這些展覽中，說明港人的訴求卻只是要求政府聆聽巿民聲音，順應民意撤銷送中條例，及要求獨立調查政府處理事件的手法。

在昆士蘭大學事件發生後，中國領事館高調把香港學生示威定性為反華及分裂祖國活動，並且表揚中國學生的違法行為。澳洲外交部長潘恩表態，不容外國政府支持以暴力，壓制言論自由，違反澳洲社會價值觀。

在奧克蘭大學的衝突中，被擊倒的女生明顯是不懂普通話，在新西蘭長大的港二代，中國學生侮辱她不懂普通話而稱她為狗，實際上是一種自大無知的行為，在網絡上得不到同情。

更令人憂慮的，是中國學生並不尊重西方國家的言論自由。在西方社會，任何人發表沒有違反普世價值觀的言論，都是可以容許的。伏爾泰的名言：「我不同意你的意見，但我誓死保衛你表達這意見的權利。」這些想法，可能在中國長大的年青人，從來沒有經歷過，引來了他們會以暴力方式來面對不同意見。在沒有言論自由的地方長大，原來也不懂得尊重言論自由。

細心想一下，這些展示香港示威的展覽內容，從未有否認香港是中國一部份，或鼓吹港獨的說法。把愛國的心等同於不能批評政府，亦不合乎西方民主社會的價值觀，中國留學生真的要深思。學生們要是一時衝動，以暴力來壓制不同意見，違反社會法規，因此而失去留學的機會，更是毫不值得的事。

Hong Kong overseas students around the world set up Lennon walls and display in campuses to tell about protests against the ‘extradition bill’ in Hong Kong in the hope of gaining some international support. Last week in the University of Queensland these students were intervened, harassed and even beaten by some Chinese students. On Monday, in the University of Auckland police were called in as a female student escorting the Lennon wall was knocked down.

From the network media clips Chinese overseas students emphasized Hong Kong belonged to China so they did not want to see these Hong Kong students fighting for the independence of the city. But the propaganda on display only asked the government to respond to the public’s demand on the proposed extradition bill and for the need of an independent investigation of the recent dramas.

After the UQ incident, Chinese Embassy supported the Chinese students by declaring it was an anti-Chinese movement staged by the Hong Kong students. Foreign Minister Payne stated that it was against Australian values for a foreign country to support suppressing freedom of speech by force.

In the UA incident, the female student might be local grown up who didn’t know Mandarin but then was humiliated for not knowing how to speak in Mandarin; this was a very egotistic and foolish behavior unwelcome in social networks.

More worrying is these Chinese students did not respect freedom of speech in Western countries, unless it is very against core global values. As Voltaire said:”I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it,  ” But this could be something new to youngsters from China who resorted to bullying act. It made a difference if one was raised up in a place with no freedom of speech.

On deeper thinking, those display materials did not deny Hong Kong belong to China and there was no calling for independence. Those Chinese students should understand that to love our country does not mean we cannot criticize the government, and their deed was not accepted here in western democracy. Their uncontrolled violence to counteract different viewpoints was against the laws and could spoil their well earned study opportunity here.