Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Dec 1996

Vol. 472 No. 7

Written Answers. - Human Rights Abuses.

Michael P. Kitt

Question:

70 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland, as President of the EU, will investigate the human rights abuses in the People's Republic of China, in particular as it relates to the manufacture of toys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24119/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

Ireland's outspoken concern for the human rights situation in China is a matter of record.

I have raised the matter with my Chinese opposite number, most recently as leader of the Troika of the European Union on 23 September in the margins of the UN General Assembly. The Taoiseach took up the matter in his meeting in Rome on 15 November with China's Prime Minister, Mr. Li Peng. On both occasions we sought to urge the Chinese side to engage with the European Union in a further round of the human rights dialogue which has been in place since 1994 as an integral part of the political dialogue between China and the European Union. I am still hopeful that it may be possible to resume this important dialogue before the conclusion of the Irish Presidency.

There is widespread concern at the conditions under which, according to reports, some toys are manufactured in China. In this context, I have noted the remarks made recently by Mr. Harry Wu during his visit to Dublin.

The policy of Ireland and the European Union towards China is based on a sympathetic understanding of the immense challenges which China is facing in the continued development of a vast populous country. We believe that a balanced constructive dialogue between China and the European Union is the best way forward in reflecting China's needs and the priority which Ireland and its European Union partners place on the issue of human rights and the development of the rule of law in China.