Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 1

Written Answers. - Human Rights Abuses in China.

Ray Burke

Question:

128 Mr. R. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's and the EU's position on human rights abuses in China in view of the EU support for China's admission to the World Trade Organisation; and the practical measures, if any, which will be taken in order to tackle this problem. [18337/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

In December 1995, the European Council agreed conclusions based on a Commission communication on a long-term policy for EU-China relations. Among the Council's goals for the EU's strategy towards China are to support sustainable development, the smooth and gradual integration of China into the world economy, the fight against poverty, the promotion of democracy, structures based on the rule of law and the respect for human rights based on the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1993 Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. These objectives and basic principles constitute essential elements in relations between the EU and China.

The Government's concern at the human rights situation in China has been raised at every appropriate opportunity with the Chinese authorities. Most recently, on 23 September 1996, I led the EU Ministerial Troika at a meeting in New York with the Chinese Vice-Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Qian Qichen. I availed of this opportunity to pursue the question of human rights in the People's Republic China, which I have raised consistently in previous meetings with the Vice-Premier. One of the matters which I addressed was the question of the continuation of the EU Troika/China human rights dialogue at expert level.

This dialogue was initiated in 1995 in order to discuss the whole spectrum of human rights issues in China. The EU's concerns have related in particular,inter alia, to the excessive use of capital punishment, the treatment of political dissidents, the conditions in orphanages and the situation in Tibet. The EU has urged China to implement legislation and other positive measures in the human rights field, particularly the early accession to the international covenants on civil and political rights and on economic, social and cultural rights. I am hopeful that there will be a positive response from China shortly on the continuation of this dialogue.

At the European Council, which was held in Florence earlier this year, acknowledgment was given to the efforts and progress made by China in restructuring its economy. In this context, Ireland and its EU partners support China's membership of the WTO. WTO membership will consolidate China's economic reform process, induce further reforms and integrate China into the world economy. However, the EU is looking for, and will continue to actively seek, a more committed respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms from the Chinese authorities.