The University of Cambridge has come under scrutiny for its involvement in teaching security courses to students from countries where human rights abuses, including torture, are reportedly widespread. A report by Freedom from Torture (FFT) has highlighted concerns over the university’s partnerships with police academies in Hong Kong and India, questioning whether these collaborations align with human rights values.
Cambridge’s Link to Hong Kong Police College
Between 2017 and 2020, Cambridge University partnered with the Hong Kong Police College (HKPC) to offer a Master of Studies (MSt) in Applied Criminology and Police Management (Police Executive Programme). This programme was designed for senior police officers and was attended by three cohorts of students from Hong Kong.
During this period, HKPC had direct ties with the People’s Public Security University of China (PPSUC), which is responsible for training police officers in Xinjiang. The region has been at the center of serious human rights violations, including mass detentions of Uyghur Muslims in so-called re-education camps. Reports suggest these camps are heavily guarded, with shoot-to-kill policies in place for escape attempts.
The partnership between Cambridge and HKPC also coincided with growing human rights concerns in Hong Kong, especially during the 2019 anti-government protests. These protests erupted in response to an extradition bill that was seen as a threat to Hong Kong’s autonomy. Reports of police brutality during these protests, including beatings, tear-gassing, and excessive force, raised alarms among human rights organisations.
Cambridge University has since terminated its contract with HKPC, stating that the decision was made immediately after China imposed stricter controls on Hong Kong’s freedoms. The Institute of Criminology at Cambridge clarified that it no longer works with the Hong Kong Police.
Cambridge’s Collaboration with Indian Police Academy
The University of Cambridge has also faced criticism for its long-standing relationship with India’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy. Cambridge Enterprise, a subsidiary of the university, has been providing mid-career training for senior police officers in India since 2010.
The agreement, initially worth £2.4 million, involved training 420 police officers over three years. This programme was later extended in 2020 to train 600 senior police officials over two years.
Concerns Raised Over Human Rights Risks
According to freedom of information requests obtained by FFT, Cambridge University did not conduct risk assessments on its partnerships with HKPC or PPSUC to evaluate potential human rights concerns. This lack of scrutiny has raised concerns about whether the university might have been unknowingly complicit in human rights violations.
In 2021, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab introduced guidelines warning British institutions against complicity in human rights abuses, particularly those linked to authorities in Xinjiang. Given this guidance, FFT has questioned Cambridge’s role in training police officers from regions where human rights abuses have been reported.
University’s Response to Allegations
Cambridge’s Institute of Criminology has defended its past collaborations, stating that the university acted quickly to end its partnership with HKPC when concerns over Hong Kong’s democratic freedoms emerged. The institute also emphasised that “democratic values are a critical part of the Applied Criminology and Police Management programme.”
However, the university has not addressed concerns about its partnership with India’s National Police Academy or the lack of human rights risk assessments in its previous collaborations.
The allegations against Cambridge University highlight the complex ethical challenges academic institutions face when collaborating with security forces from countries with poor human rights records. While the university has taken steps to distance itself from Hong Kong’s police force, questions remain about its due diligence in past and ongoing partnerships.
As human rights organisations push for greater accountability, Cambridge may need to review its global partnerships more carefully to ensure they align with its stated commitment to democratic values and human rights.
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