Hong Kong's Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said a rehabilitation programme for 2019 anti-government protest arrestees is open to all, with no eligibility line drawn. The project, run secretly for one to two years, targets about 7,000 unprosecuted individuals. He cautioned that authorities will still act in accordance with the law for cases with clear evidence.
Hong Kong's Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung revealed in a televised interview on Sunday that his bureau's special rehabilitation programme for those arrested during the 2019 social unrest has been operating for the past one to two years.
"We hope to offer rehabilitation opportunities to anyone who engaged in inappropriate acts in the protests," Tang said. "We will not draw a line [on the eligibility] and hope to welcome anyone interested."
The programme targets about 7,000 arrestees who have not yet been prosecuted, offering career planning services, internship opportunities including with government departments, and trips to mainland China to foster better understanding of the country. Tang had previously disclosed details and defended keeping the project secret until recently.
However, he cautioned that authorities would still "act in accordance with the law" when handling arrestees whose alleged crimes are supported by clear evidence.