Vol. 474 No. 8
52 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the case made by Amnesty International in relation to alleged abuses of human rights in China and Turkey; if he will table a resolution on this matter at the highest levels; if he intends to seek Dáil Éireann support for such a resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4093/97]
I and my Department are in close, ongoing contact with Amnesty International and other NGOs in regard to human rights in China, Turkey and in other areas of the world. We very much value that dialogue with the NGO community, which represents an important input into the formulation of Irish foreign policy.
We share the concern of Amnesty International regarding the human rights records of China and Turkey and I would like to outline the Government's approach on what are separate situations.
As regards China, Ireland and our EU partners have been pressing strongly and actively for substantial improvements in the general human rights situation there and in individual human rights cases. Individual cases of human rights abuses are raised with the Chinese authorities. To focus attention on the issue, the EU has tabled a draft resolution at each annual session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights for a number of years. However, because of blocking action by China, no resolution has yet been adopted by the Commission. Nonetheless, the process of drafting a resolution has in itself been a means of drawing attention to our concerns and the issues raised by Amnesty and others have been reflected in our proposals.
At the same time, the EU has made every effort to resume a formal dialogue with China on human rights — including during Ireland's Presidency last year — as a means of bringing about progress in respect of the many issues of concern. An EU ministerial troika will meet with the Chinese side en marge of the ASEM Conference in Singapore this week. Human rights will be an important element of the agenda for that meeting. The response received at the meeting to EU requests for substantial improvements will influence how the European Union decides to proceed in regard to this year's session of the Commission on Human Rights, which takes place in Geneva from 10 March to 18 April. However, on present indications I do not see any basis for a different approach by the EU at the Commission on this occasion.
Human rights in Turkey is also a matter of serious concern and has consistently been raised by the EU in its contacts and dialogue with the Turkish authorities at all levels. During the Irish Presidency, I had occasion at several meetings with the Turkish Government to make clear our concerns in this regard. Serious issues have been highlighted by recent reports on Turkey concerning disappearances, torture and violations of human rights and freedoms. With our partners in the European Union, we have repeatedly made clear to the Turkish Government that observance of the rule of law and respect for fundamental freedoms are crucial for the further development of the Union's relations with Turkey. We have urged Turkey to take early measures to improve protection of human rights for the Turkish people.
