Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 1

Written Answers. - Chinese Dissidents.

Ray Burke

Question:

134 Mr. R. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's and the EU's position on the police crackdown against prominent dissidents in China during the run-up to the Communist party plenum in Beijing. [18587/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

Since April 1996, there has been a well-publicised Government campaign against criminality and corruption throughout China. This campaign, known as the "strike-hard" campaign has resulted in the arrest and conviction of a large number of persons engaged in a wide range of criminal activities. This campaign continues.

In addition, as is customary on the occasion of large-scale Government and Communist Party gatherings, security was noticeably increased to coincide with the sixth plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party which took place in Beijing from 7 to 10 October 1996. During the period of the plenum, Chinese dissident circles in Hong Kong reported that two prominent members of the pro-democracy movement had been arrested.

Through the Embassy of Ireland at Beijing, in consultation with the embassies of other EU member states, we have been seeking to ascertain the authenticity of these reports. If it emerges that either or both persons have been arrested, charged or sentenced for activities connected with their campaign for wider democratic freedoms in China, we will consider, as a matter of urgency, how best to make clear to the Chinese Government the unacceptability of its repression of those who peacefully advocate freedom of expression and other universally accepted democratic principles, and our concern at the cases in question.