On February 5, 2026, the Hong Kong Federation of Students (HKFS) announced its dissolution, citing threatening messages and harassment directed against its members and allies.
The HKFS was established in 1958 to mobilize the student community for participation in social movements. It played a pivotal role in Hong Kong’s protest history, from the 1989 Tiananmen Square vigils to the 2019 pro-democracy movement, until the imposition of the 2020 National Security Law. The legislation criminalized many forms of dissent and significantly expanded state powers regarding acts of sedition.
In a statement published on social media, the HKFS reflected on nearly seven decades of advocacy, stating they had “never been absent from major political events.” The chair of the representative council confirmed that several members had recently faced threatening messages, harassment, and stalking, leaving the organization with “no other choice” but to disband. The Hong Kong Centre for Human Rights described the disbandment as a sign of the “steadily shrinking space” for student activism.
Scholars at Risk is concerned about the intimidation and harassment, including threats of violence, of students for exercising their freedom of expression – conduct which is protected by international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Members of the public must refrain from actions that chill or restrict such conduct, regardless of political or ideological differences. In addition to harm to the immediate victims, intimidation and harassment in response to peaceful expressive activity undermine academic freedom and democratic society generally.
Sources:
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/hong-kong-students-dissolve-pro-democracy-group-under-severe-pressure
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1348794637290605&id=100064802438178&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=ZLtFasfGldcpbZam#
https://hongkongfp.com/2026/02/05/breaking-hong-kong-federation-of-students-to-disband-after-68-years-citing-increasing-pressure/
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/03/what-is-hong-kongs-article-23-law-10-things-you-need-to-know/