Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 Mar 2000

Vol. 516 No. 4

Written Answers. - Human Rights Issues.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

57 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures, if any, he has taken to secure the release from custody of Mr. Zhao Ming who was arrested in Beijing at Christmas 1999 for practising Falun Gong. [8406/00]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

As stated by the Taoiseach on 27 January in his reply to a question on the arrest and detention in China of Mr. Zhao Ming and a number of his colleagues, all are Chinese citizens who were resident in Ireland for purposes of work or study. All are active members of the body known as Falun Gong, which was banned by the Chinese authorities last July. Four of them, including Mr. Zhao Ming, returned to China from Ireland before Christmas and, according to the information received from one of them, variously sought out and engaged in various Falun Gong related activities, including lodging or attempting to lodge complaints with the Chinese authorities on the latter's policy in regard to the Falun Gong movement. As a result of these activities they were arrested by the Chinese authorities.

Mr. Zhao Ming and two other persons have not been allowed by the Chinese authorities to leave China and I understand they may be under various forms of detention, including house arrest, in their respective home locations. The fourth individual was allowed to leave China and returned to Dublin.

Ireland, together with its EU partners, has closely monitored the measures taken by the Chinese Government against Falun Gong practitioners. We have expressed our concern, both collectively and bilaterally, about the situation and called on the Chinese authorities to respect the human rights of individuals, including those who are followers of the Falun Gong. We have urged China not to act against the principles contained in the UN covenants which it has signed. These include the important freedoms of expression, assembly and association. We have also expressed concern about the number of arrests and the heavy sentences imposed on members of the Falun Gong movement. The latter concerns also extend to heavy sentences imposed on members of the China Democratic Party and on members of Christian churches.

As Mr. Zhao Ming is not an Irish citizen, Ireland has no consular function in this matter. As a Chinese citizen, he is subject to the laws of China while in that country, including in respect of Falun Gong.