Hong Kong reports 99% participation of young 2019 protest convicts in rehab project

Nearly 1,800 young Hongkongers convicted of protest and national security-related offences have taken part in a rehabilitation programme, authorities have said, including 99 per cent of those found guilty over the 2019 unrest, up from 63 per cent in 2021.Responding to a question from lawmaker Chan Hok-fung, the Security Bureau said that 1,768 inmates had taken part in Project PATH as of the end of February.“According to observations and assessments made by correctional officers, Project PATH has yielded satisfactory results, with most participants giving positive responses by actively taking part in activities under the programme,” Apollonia Liu Lee Ho-kei, permanent secretary for security, said in her reply.The rehabilitation programme, launched in November 2021, targets “radical” young offenders arrested during the 2019 anti-government protests or under the city’s national security laws.Participants take part in activities designed to deepen their understanding of Chinese culture, rebuild their values and strengthen family relationships.The Correctional Services Department also organised exchange tours to Mainland China in February for discharged participants to enhance their understanding of the country and boost their sense of national identity, with more planned for later this year.