Edinburgh University orders students back from Hong Kong as civil unrest grows

Edinburgh University students on an exchange programme in Hong Kong have been told to come back to the UK as civil unrest continues.

It affects 21 students at the university, who have been asked to leave as soon as they can.

Anti-government protests have been raging in Hong Kong since June, initially responding to a bill which would have allowed people to be extradited to mainland China.

The protests have since grown to call for full democracy and accountability from police.

Students and other protesters have taken over major campuses, building barricades and stockpiling petrol bombs and other weapons.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong has suspended classes for the rest of the year, and others have asked students to switch to online learning.

Edinburgh University’s move follows Warwick University and the University of Aberdeen, who have both also recalled their exchange students.

A University of Edinburgh spokesman said: ‘The suspension of classes at educational institutions in Hong Kong has affected 21 Edinburgh students, who are currently on exchange there.

‘We are therefore requesting that all of our students in Hong Kong return to the UK, at their earliest opportunity.

‘We are providing advice and support to each affected student to ensure all are in a position to return to the UK.’

Last month the University of Edinburgh recalled all nine of its students studying in Egypt, after two were detained by authorities.

They have since been released but the university advised all of its students in the country to return home, citing concerns for their safety.

The University of Aberdeen said in a statement: ‘We are in close contact with our exchange students. Arrangements are being put into place to bring our exchange students home.

‘The safety of our students is paramount.’

Warwick University said students would be reimbursed the costs of flights home. A spokesman said: ‘Like several other UK universities we are contacting Warwick students and staff in Hong Kong and offering them the opportunity to return to the UK and are advising them to do so.’