Australia Urged to Protect Pro-Democracy Students From Chinese ‘Harassment’

SYDNEY - The international rights group Human Rights Watch says Chinese students in Australia have suffered bullying, harassment and intimidation from pro-Beijing peers.

In a report released Wednesday, the group says the impact of a year-old, Beijing-imposed national security law restricting freedom of speech in Hong Kong has been felt thousands of kilometers away, on Australian university campuses. The non-government organization has investigated alleged reprisals against those who have spoken out on the political situation in Hong Kong. It interviewed about 50 students and academics about claims of intimidation, harassment and surveillance of Chinese and Hong Kong students in Australia.