Ten professionals convicted in protests since 2014

At least 10 professionals, including eight social workers, one occupational therapist and one physiotherapist, were convicted in connection to demonstrations and clashes since the 2014 Occupy movement. 

In a written reply to lawmakers, the Security Bureau said as of the end of July this year, the police had arrested 10,265 people in the unrest two years ago, of which 2,684 were prosecuted. Among the 1,527 persons who have completed judicial proceedings, 1,197 persons have to bear legal consequences.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung quoted statistics provided by Labour and Welfare Bureau finding that from 2014 to the present, a total of eight registered social workers have been convicted in connection to the Umbrella Movement and the 2019 unrest. 

Of these eight people, the Social Workers Registration Board implemented a disciplinary order of reprimanding one person in writing. It approved the applications for registration renewal of three people, and is deliberating on the case of two others. It is awaiting the remaining two persons to report the court’s verdict on their appeals. 

As for healthcare professionals, one occupational therapist and one physiotherapist were convicted since 2014, and neither of them were sentenced to imprisonment. Insofar as follow-up actions are concerned, the Occupational Therapists Board has completed the handling of the concerned case in accordance with the relevant statutory procedures.  It found no professional misconduct, and decided no disciplinary inquiry or further follow-up action was required.  

Separately, the Physiotherapists Board said it is handling the concerned case according to the relevant statutory procedures.

Tang stressed that professionals are generally regulated by their regulatory bodies in accordance with the relevant laws. If an individual body deviates from its objects of establishment, allowing its profession to be hijacked or overridden by politics, the government will reexamine its relations with the relevant body and take appropriate follow-up measures, including ceasing the government’s relations with that body where absolutely necessary, Tang said..