Young Inmates Honored for Educational Achievements at Pik Uk Correctional Institution Ceremony

Young persons in custody at Pik Uk Correctional Institution attain good examination results

​Young persons in custody (PICs) at Pik Uk Correctional Institution (PUCI) of the Correctional Services Department (CSD) were presented with certificates at a ceremony today (December 5) in recognition of their efforts and achievements in studies and vocational examinations.

Over the past year, a total of 68 young PICs at PUCI sat various academic and vocational examinations, including the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE), the City and Guilds International examinations, the Cambridge English Examinations and the General Aptitude Putonghua Shuiping Kaoshi, and obtained vocational certificates covering subjects such as Food and Beverage Services, Cantonese Cooking, Multimedia Design, Building Services, and Laundry Skill organised by the SideBySide, Christian Action, the Construction Industry Council, and the Vocational Training Council. During the year, the PICs attained nine merits out of 121 certificates obtained.In the ceremony today, 38 young PICs were presented with 77 certificates, of which eight merits were attained.

Officiating at the ceremony, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sik Sik Yuen (SSY), Mr Lai Chak-sum, said that SSY is fully supportive of the rehabilitation work of the CSD,and set up the Sik Sik Yuen - Care and Rehabilitation Education Fund in March 2023 with the aim of providing subsidies to needy PICs to pursue continuing education and vocational training. He encouraged PICs to unleash their potentials in different areas and actively equip themselves, with a view to leveraging their strengths to contribute to the community in the future.

During the ceremony, volunteer tutor and saxophonist Timothy Sun partnered with a band composed of PICs to stage a music performance, hoping to convey gratitude to their family members and correctional officers for their support in the course of rehabilitation.

In the sharing session, a young PIC expressed gratitude for his mother's unwavering support as well as the guidance and encouragement from correctional officers, which have helped him get back on his feet to not only study diligently and sit the HKDSE but also cultivate his interest in music composition. His mother also shared the happiness of witnessing the positive changes in her son, and appreciated correctional officers for walking hand in hand with her son on the path to rehabilitation, helping him turn over a new leaf.

Also attending the ceremony were representatives of non-governmental and community organisations, community leaders and family members of the certificate recipients.

PUCI has a capacity of 385 penal places for young male remand and sentenced PICs. The Department provides half-day education programmes and half-day vocational training for young PICs to help them rehabilitate and prepare for their reintegration into society.

Young persons in custody at Pik Uk Correctional Institution attain good examination results Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Young persons in custody at Pik Uk Correctional Institution attain good examination results Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Young persons in custody at Pik Uk Correctional Institution attain good examination results Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Young persons in custody at Pik Uk Correctional Institution attain good examination results Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Young persons in custody at Pik Uk Correctional Institution attain good examination results Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSARG responds to reauthorization of the so-called Sanctions Provisions under HKHRDA incorporated in National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025

​The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (December 26) strongly disapproves of and firmly rejects US' reauthorization of the so-called Sanctions Provisions under the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act (HKHRDA) incorporated in National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025.

A spokesman for the Government said, "In accordance with international law and international practice based on the Charter of the United Nations, it is each and every sovereign state's inherent right to enact laws safeguarding national security, and it is also an international practice. With at least 21 pieces of laws safeguarding national security, the US has exposed its double standards by pointing the finger at the HKSAR's legal system and enforcement mechanism to safeguard national security."

"The Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) also clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR. The offences endangering national security stipulated by the related Ordinance target acts endangering national security with precision, and define the elements and penalties of the offences with clarity, aiming at addressing, combating, deterring and preventing acts and activities of endangering national security. It targets only an extremely small minority of people without affecting the basic rights and freedoms lawfully enjoyed by Hong Kong residents."

He said, "The US openly clamour for so-called 'sanctions' with an aim to intimidate HKSAR officials who resolutely safeguard national security. The HKSAR Government strongly condemns its political grandstanding rife with ill intentions, which have been seen through by all. The HKSAR despises the so-called 'sanctions' and will not be intimidated by such a despicable behaviour. The HKSAR will resolutely continue to discharge the duty of safeguarding national security."

The HKSAR Government has been enforcing the sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) fully and vigorously to fulfil our international obligations. We have long been maintaining an effective mechanism for implementing the resolutions of the UNSC. That includes denying entry of vessels designated by the UNSC as well as suspicious vessels, keeping a close watch on and inspecting suspicious Hong Kong-based companies to prevent them from participating in activities evading UNSC sanctions. At the same time, the HKSAR Government has been implementing a comprehensive and robust control regime over the import and export of strategic commodities and maintaining active participation in the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Arms Trade Treaty through the Central People's Government. The effectiveness of our work has been well respected and recognised by our trading partners and internationally.

The US has substantial economic interest in Hong Kong. Over the past decade, it registered a trade surplus of about US$270 billion with Hong Kong. Currently, some 1 390 US companies operate in Hong Kong. If the US insists on its acts, it will ultimately undermine the mutually beneficial relations between Hong Kong and the US, harming the interests of the US and its companies.

The spokesman reiterated that foreign governments and legislatures should not interfere in any form in the internal affairs of the HKSAR.