Written Answers. - Human Rights Abuses.
Olivia Mitchell
Question:
29
Ms O. Mitchell
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if he will protest in the strongest terms at the continued detention of two persons (details supplied) by the Government of China; if he has raised with the Chinese authorities the concern that Dáil Éireann holds with regard to the persecution of practitioners of Falun Gong; if he will continue to press the case of these two persons in order that they may return here to complete their studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14851/03]
John Gormley
Question:
154
Mr. Gormley
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if Ireland's ambassador to China has requested or will consider requesting the local authorities in the cities of Shenyang and Dalian to release persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15115/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 154 together.
The House will recall that I have addressed these cases in previous replies. My colleague, Deputy Tom Kitt, Minister of State with responsibility for overseas development and human rights, has met with the organisations concerned, and officials of my Department have met also to discuss these matters with members of the Irish Falun Dafa Association.
As I stated previously, the two individuals in question are members of Falun Gong, which was banned by the Chinese authorities in July 1999. Falun Gong is regarded by the Chinese Government as an evil cult. The persons concerned are Chinese citizens, and are, therefore, subject to the laws of China while in that country. As they are not Irish citizens, Ireland has no consular function in this matter, and the matter currently rests with the Chinese authorities.
However, the Government takes concerns about human rights in China, including those of Falun Gong members, seriously. Human rights, including the treatment of practitioners of Falun Gong, are an integral part of our ongoing relationship with China. I raised this matter directly with the Chinese authorities during my visit to Beijing in January 2002. In December 2002, and again in February 2003, my colleague, Deputy Tom Kitt, Minister of State with responsibility for overseas development and human rights, reviewed these issues with concerned NGOs.
The EU discusses key human rights concerns with China within the framework of the EU-China human rights dialogue. At the most recent session of the dialogue, which took place in Athens on 5-6 March this year, the EU conveyed its concerns in relation to the position of followers of Falun Gong. I am pleased to report that the Chinese interlocutors at the dialogue expressed a willingness to co-operate with the Office of the UN High Commission for Human Rights, and informed the EU side that they had extended invitations to visit China to the UN Special Rapporteurs on Torture, and the Right to Education, and to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. I particularly welcome the fact that China has also issued a formal invitation to the UN special rapporteur on freedom of religion, Mr. Abdelfattah Amor.
At the External Relations Council in March this year, I discussed this matter with my EU colleagues, and it was agreed that the EU should convey its deep concern over reported violations of human rights in China, at the UN Commission on Human Rights, CHR. At the recent session of the CHR in Geneva, the EU urged China to take clear steps to improve the human rights situation generally, and more specifically with respect to freedoms of expression, religion and belief, which have a particular impact on practitioners of Falun Gong.
Officials in my Department, both in Dublin and in the embassy in Beijing, continue to monitor these cases on an ongoing basis.
Olwyn Enright
Question:
30
Ms Enright
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if he will raise with the Government of Zimbabwe, the deep concern that exists concerning the deportation of journalists and the many other assaults upon free speech that have taken place within that country; his views on the findings of a recent Amnesty International report on human rights violations in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14883/03]
It has been clear to Ireland and the EU for some time that the Government of Zimbabwe is not a willing partner in dialogue on human rights, democracy and the rule of law. So much so, that a political dialogue initiated by the EU to address these issues was closed in February 2002 following the failure of the Government of Zimbabwe to protect human rights in that country and to engage on the subject at any meaningful level. Nevertheless, Ireland and the EU continue to be extremely vocal on the decline of democracy in Zimbabwe and the Government of that country can be in no doubt as to our stance on all issues pertaining to human rights, including freedom of speech and association.
On 18 February 2003, the EU adopted a Common Position on Zimbabwe which noted the degradation in the political situation in Zimbabwe and renewed sanctions imposed on those the EU deems most responsible for the violation of human rights. Also in February, the EU issued a declaration expressing its concern at detailed incidences of arbitrary arrests and inhumane treatment of opposition members and civil society organisers and calling on the government to engage in a serious dialogue with the opposition. In March 2003, the EU condemned the violence and repression targeted against the opposition following their organisation of mass strikes in the country, and called on the Government of Zimbabwe to respect human rights and to call to account those responsible for the violence.
The situation in Zimbabwe is grave and it is a particularly dangerous time for individuals who actively oppose the Government. I condemn utterly the abuses being carried out by State forces and other groups affiliated to the governing party and the lack of accountability on the part of the Government of Zimbabwe in these matters.
