Hong Kong Tai Po Fire: Rights groups condemn arrest of student activist as Judge-led probe is announced

HONG KONG: Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee has announced the establishment of a judge-led independent committee to investigate the fatal Tai Po fire that claimed at least 156 lives, a decision that follows intense public outcry and sharp criticism from international human rights organisations regarding the arrest of student activist Miles Kwan Ching-fung.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued separate statements on 1 December 2025, urging the authorities to ensure transparency, accountability, and to drop charges against those detained for peacefully demanding answers over the city’s deadliest residential blaze in decades.

Rights Groups Condemn Crackdown on Dissent

Both human rights organisations explicitly linked the arrests to an ongoing suppression of public criticism, urging the government to allow freedom of expression rather than misusing national security laws.

Human Rights Watch stressed that the government should "stop suppressing criticism, and drop charges against three people arrested for peaceful activism"—referencing Kwan and two others detained on suspicion of "inciting hatred against the government" or having "seditious intention."

Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, highlighted concerns about the impact of the crackdown on civil society, stating, "It’s crucially important not to treat those demanding answers for the tragic fire as criminals."

Similarly, Luk Chi-man, the Executive Director of Amnesty International Hong Kong Overseas, urged authorities to "transparently investigate the causes of the devastating fire in Tai Po, rather than silencing those who ask legitimate questions."

Amnesty International further called on Hong Kong authorities to "end the misuse of broadly defined ‘national security’ laws to target anyone… who engage in community-led support efforts or seek to disclose or report information in the public interest."

Student Arrested After Demanding Accountability

Miles Kwan Ching-fung, a university student, was detained by police on 29 November 2025, on suspicion of "seditious intention" under the city’s national security laws. Kwan was reportedly released on bail on 1 December.

Kwan had initiated an online petition and distributed flyers calling for the government to respond to "four big demands" in the aftermath of the tragedy at Wang Fuk Court.

These demands centred on establishing an independent investigation committee to probe corruption and conflicts of interest, reforming the construction supervision system, addressing regulatory neglect and holding officials accountable, and ensuring proper resettlement for displaced residents.

Kwan’s online petition garnered over 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its content was reportedly wiped.

The arrests came after the Hong Kong Security Bureau chief, Chris Tang Ping-Keung, accused people of spreading misinformation, while the Chinese government’s Office for Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong warned that any "anti-China and anti-Hong Kong" actors attempting to use the disaster to "incite hatred towards the government" would be punished.

Judge-Led Independent Probe Announced

In response to mounting public and international pressure, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee announced on Tuesday that a judge-led independent committee would be established to investigate the tragedy that occurred on 26 November 2025, when the deadly fire ripped through the Wang Fuk Court housing complex.

Lee confirmed the committee would conduct a comprehensive and in-depth review aimed at reforming the city’s building work system and preventing similar disasters.

Addressing reporters at a news conference, Lee quoted directly from the commitment: “In order to avoid similar tragedies again, I will set up a judge-led independent committee to examine the reason behind the cause and rapid spreading [of the fire] and related issues.”

He further emphasised the need for justice, stating, “We must uncover the truth, ensure that justice is served, let the deceased rest in peace and provide comfort to the living.”

When questioned by a reporter about his continuity in office following the disaster, Lee acknowledged the systemic problems. He admitted that authorities had “identified failures in different stages,” pledging that reform was paramount.