CSD responds to media enquiries about so-called research on latest situations about persons in custody in Hong Kong published by anti-China organisation Amnesty International
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The spokesperson also criticized this anti-China organisation for not including in full the written response from the CSD earlier in its so-called research, with a view to presenting a distorted picture with ill intentions.
Amnesty International is an anti-China organisation under the guise of an organisation purportedly safeguarding human rights. In the past, Amnesty International smeared the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) through fabrication by falsely claiming that a Uyghur student had gone missing in Hong Kong and attributing the incident to the HKSAR Government. In fact, the person concerned had never entered Hong Kong nor been denied entry into Hong Kong. This shows that it is the usual and despicable tactic of this anti-China organisation to disseminate false information to smear the HKSAR Government. We must refute its false accusations one by one in order to set the record straight.
Contrary to the claims made by Amnesty International, the CSD is committed to ensuring a secure, safe, humane, decent and healthy custodial environment and providing appropriate rehabilitation programmes to PICs to help them turn a new leaf with dignity. Its allegations of conditions prevalent within correctional institutions, such as physical violence, extremely high temperatures and poor ventilation inside the institutions in summer, solitary confinement and unsanitary conditions, are wholly unfounded.
Zero tolerance of physical abuse
The CSD places utmost importance on discipline and professionalism across all correctional facilities. As provided by the Prison Rules (Cap. 234A), any officer of CSD who, without necessity, uses force in dealing with prisoners or uses undue force, violates discipline and may also be criminally liable in such circumstances. The CSD adheres strictly to statutory requirements on enforcement actions, and to the principles of impartiality and professionalism.
Extensive measures to cope with hot weather conditions
The CSD has taken extensive measures to continuously improve the custodial environment and to ensure the well-being of PICs. These include the installation of anti-suicide safety fans and industrial fans, the progressive replacement of ventilation systems, and the installation of new gates and windows with improved ventilation efficiency. The CSD has also taken further steps, including conducting trials of heat-insulating coatings on buildings and providing hand fans and cooling towels to PICs, which demonstrate our proactive approach to address hot weather conditions.
Removal from association having regard to PICs' interests and according to law
The CSD is devoted to ensuring that all arrangements for removal from association or separate confinement of PICs are appropriate in the circumstances of the case and in strict adherence to the law, and in line with the prevailing practices in other jurisdictions. Rule 68B of the Prison Rules empowers the CSD to remove a PIC from association with other PICs for purposes such as safeguarding the interests or personal safety of the PICs. Where the removal from association is initiated at the request of a PIC, the PIC concerned may request to resume association at any time.
Constant attention to sanitation and hygienic condition
The CSD has all along enforced the highest possible degree of cleanliness in the correctional institutions in accordance with the law. Daily inspection are conducted to ensure cleanliness of the correctional institutions and frequent examinations are conducted by the institutional medical officers for purposes of cleanliness and sanitation. Besides, the management of correctional institutions regularly arranges for comprehensive cleaning and disinfection of the institutions, and arranges outside contractors to carry out pest control and rodent eradication work to ensure that the environmental conditions in the institutions are clean and hygienic.
The CSD has put in place mechanisms, including regular visits from Justices of the Peace, who inspect the prisons to ensure the rights of PICs are protected. PICs who feel aggrieved by any treatment they received could lodge a complaint through various channels within and outside the CSD e.g. the Ombudsman.
The CSD once again strongly condemns Amnesty International for spreading false and biased accusations and deliberately discrediting the CSD in properly carrying out its duties in the management of correctional institutions.
The CSD will, as always, continue to resolutely and fearlessly discharge its duties in strict accordance with the laws, ensuring the security of correctional institutions while safeguarding the rights, dignity and well-being of all PICs.
Ends/Thursday, December 18, 2025
Issued at HKT 22:12
Issued at HKT 22:12
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