Ruairí Quinn
Question:143 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on correspondence he has received on the position of members of the Falun Gong in the People's Republic of China. [21447/02]
Written Answers. - Human Rights Abuses.
I receive a wide range of correspondence on Falun Gong on a regular basis from its members as well as from concerned members of the public. I have also received documentation from the Chinese Government in support of its expressed concern at the activities of Falun Gong.
Deputies will be aware from previous replies in the Dáil that the Government, together with our EU partners, take seriously concerns about the human rights of Falun Gong members in China. The House will recall that both the Taoiseach and I have taken the opportunity to raise this issue with the Chinese authorities and we will continue to do so.
The rights of Falun Gong members have also been raised through EU channels, notably through the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, which had its latest meeting in Copenhagen in October. The next opportunity for the EU to convey its concerns will arise at the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue in Beijing later this week.
At the 58th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva last March, Ireland was associated with the EU statement on the question of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the world. This outlined our concerns in relation to human rights in China and included specific reference to the persecution and harsh treatment of Falun Gong followers and to restrictions on the freedom of expression, assembly, association and religion. At the same session of the Commission on Human Rights Ireland introduced a resolution, which was adopted without a vote, on the elimination of all forms of religious intolerance which, inter alia, urged all States to ensure their constitutional and legislative systems provide adequate and effective guarantees of freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief to all without distinction.
Question No. 144 answered with Question No. 93.