Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 29 Nov 1990

Vol. 403 No. 3

Written Answers. - Chinese Detainees.

Peter Barry

Question:

44 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise with the Chinese authorities the case of a person (details supplied) who was given a two year sentence merely because he protested against the massacre in Tiananmen Square on 4 June 1989.

Peter Barry

Question:

45 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise, with the Chinese authorities, the case of a person (details supplied) who was arrested on 6 June, 1989 and is still being detained without trial.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Collins)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 45 together.

Ireland and its partners in the Twelve member states of the European Community have consistently raised the issue of human rights in China, both directly with the Chinese authorities and in the appropriate international fora. Our concerns in this regard are based on the widespread repressive action taken against individuals, such as those adverted to by the Deputy, who wish to exercise their fundamental right to free speech. Our appeals to the Chinese authorities covered all those detained and punished for their political beliefs and not just those whose names are known.

The Troika of the Twelve at ministerial level met with the Chinese Foreign Minister on 28 September. This opportunity was fully utilised to convey again our deep anxieties regarding human rights in China. The Chinese Foreign Minister stressed China's commitment to human rights and recalled China's ratification of many UN conventions in this field. He reiterated his country's commitment to reforms and a policy of openness and said that respect for human rights should be embedded in internal law and find adequate protection there. I welcome this positive reaction from the Chinese Foreign Minister and I hope that it will lead to a genuine improvement in the human rights situation in China.

Because the human rights situation in China is of serious concern to me, I will continue to urge the Chinese authorities to release those prisoners whose only crime has been to demand freedom of expression.