Demands for responsibility in deadly Hong Kong fire muted

Shortly before his reported detention, 24-year-old student Miles Kwan approached passersby outside a Hong Kong train station, urging them to demand accountability for a deadly fire that devastated nearby apartment buildings. "We are unhappy with the current state of Hong Kong and want to see change," Kwan told AFP on Friday while distributing flyers calling for an independent investigation into the blaze, which claimed at least 128 lives this week. "We need to confront the flaws that run through Hong Kong today, both inside and out."

Kwans and other activists appeals quickly evolved into an online petition, which collected over 10,000 signatures in less than 24 hours. However, local media reported on Saturday night that Kwan had been arrested on suspicion of sedition by national security police, and the petition had been removed online, highlighting how dissent in Hong Kong can be swiftly suppressed under Beijings scrutiny. Police declined to confirm the arrest, stating only that actions would be taken "according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law." AFPs attempts to contact Kwan on Sunday morning were unsuccessful.

Hong Kong, once known for vibrant political activism, has seen such movements diminish since Beijing implemented a stringent national security law in 2020 following large pro-democracy protests. Kwan was reportedly detained shortly after Beijings national security office in Hong Kong denounced "anti-China forces" for exploiting the disaster and "stirring social division and hatred against authorities."

When asked on Friday about his fears of arrest, Kwan said he was merely "making very basic demands." "If these demands are considered seditious or 'crossing the line,' then I can no longer predict the consequences and can only act according to what I genuinely believe," he added.

On Friday, Kwan and a small group of activists distributed flyers at a train station near the burned residential complex, calling for government accountability, an independent investigation into potential corruption, proper relocation for affected residents, and a review of construction oversight. Kwan expressed the view that the fire was "not an accident" but rather a preventable, man-made disaster. Authorities have arrested 11 individuals in connection with the fire at Wang Fuk Court, marking the deadliest residential building fire in the world since 1980.

Hong Kong has a history of using judge-led commissions of inquiry (COI) for complex investigations in a public forum, a legacy from British colonial rule. However, officials have so far only announced an inter-departmental task force to examine the blaze. Comparatively, the UKs response to the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, which killed 72 people, involved a public inquiry. Lawyer Imran Khan, who represented victims and families during the Grenfell inquiry, told AFP that lessons from Grenfell apply globally, as all governments must ensure the safety of high-rise residential buildings. Khan argued that a public inquiry with court-like powers would better serve Hong Kong than an internal investigation, as it would foster trust among victims, survivors, and residents. "Without justice, they cannot properly grieve," he said.

At the Hong Kong station on Friday, many commuters accepted the flyers, though few engaged directly with Kwan or his team. Nearby, mourners formed a long queue in a park near the fire site, bringing flowers and handwritten notes in remembrance. One anonymous note left on the ground read: "This is not just an accident, it is the evil outcome of an unjust system. It is not right."

Analysis: Dissent and Accountability in Hong Kong After Deadly Fire

The recent tragic fire at Wang Fuk Court, which claimed at least 128 lives, has sparked a call for justice and reform in Hong Kong. Activist Miles Kwan, who urged the public to demand an independent investigation into the incident, represents a growing frustration among citizens about the current state of the city. His plea for accountability, distributed through flyers and a petition, was quickly suppressed by the local authorities. This incident highlights the challenges faced by activists under the tightening grip of Beijing's national security laws.

Although Kwan's efforts resonated with many residents, who signed the petition in record time, the swift removal of the online petition and his reported arrest on suspicion of sedition show how easily dissent is silenced in Hong Kong. The national security law, enacted in 2020, has severely curtailed political freedoms, leaving little space for genuine public discourse. Kwan’s arrest, following his demand for an independent investigation, underscores the precarious environment for activism in the city.

The authorities' response has been notably lacking in transparency, opting for an internal task force rather than a public inquiry akin to the UK’s response to the Grenfell Tower fire. This raises concerns about the ability of the public to trust any findings, as the Hong Kong government continues to avoid the kind of open investigation that would foster accountability. A judge-led public inquiry, as proposed by experts like lawyer Imran Khan, could offer a more impartial examination of the tragedy and might help restore some trust among victims and the wider population.

As the community mourns the loss of so many lives, the reluctance to address the systemic issues that contributed to this disaster only deepens the sense of injustice. Kwan’s arrest and the continued suppression of dissent signal that Hong Kong’s path to political reform remains fraught with obstacles. The residents of Hong Kong, particularly those affected by the fire, deserve a proper investigation into what went wrong, and the city’s leaders must reckon with the consequences of failing to confront these flaws.

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• Calls for accountability over lethal Hong Kong fire silenced