Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 23 Mar 2000

Vol. 516 No. 5

Written Answers. - Human Rights Issues.

Willie Penrose

Question:

52 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government will support and push for a resolution at the forthcoming meeting of the UNHCR regarding the deteriorating human rights situation in China, including wide ranging suppression of peaceful dissent, arbitrary detention, torture, ill-treatment and extensive use of the death penalty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8459/00]

Gay Mitchell

Question:

77 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the human rights white paper published by the Chinese Government. [8292/00]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 77 together.

At our meeting on Monday and Tuesday of this week, EU Foreign Ministers reviewed EU policy towards human rights in China, particularly in light of the EU-China human rights dialogue and in preparation for this year's session of the UN Commission on Human Rights.

The importance of the EU-China Human rights dialogue, which allows joint work towards the promotion and respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms in China, was reiterated. Ministers agreed that dialogue is acceptable only if progress is achieved and reflected on the ground. While welcoming China's stated willingness to co-operate with UN human rights mechanisms, we regretted that positive steps taken by China at international level have not been matched by tangible progress in the human rights situation in the country. Ministers expressed concern at, inter alia, the continuing and widespread restrictions on fundamental freedoms, the policy of imposing harsh sentences on pro-democracy activists and taking severe measures against certain minority groups, the number of arrests and the harshness of sentences passed against followers of the Falun Gong and the restrictions on members of the Christian Church and other religious groups. The frequent use of the death penalty was also noted with distress.

Given these concerns, we agreed to engage in a process of review of the sustainability of the dialogue, with a view to a more focused and result-oriented approach.

The United States will table a draft resolution on the human rights situation in China at the 56th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, which is currently under way. As has been stated in response to previous questions on this matter, Ireland is co-ordinating with our EU partners in deciding our approach to the resolution. This matter was carefully considered at the Council meeting earlier this week and it was agreed that the EU approach would be outlined at a later date at the Commission.

Notwithstanding improvements, particularly of social, economic and cultural rights, detailed in the White Paper published by the Chinese Government, titled Fifty Years of Progress in China's Human Rights, Ireland and our EU partners continue to have concerns about human rights in China. We will continue to keep EU policy on China under regular review, including at the Commission on Human Rights.