Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2004
202 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, as of January 2004, there were 145 Tibetan political prisoners being held, including nine women; the Government’s position on this issue; and if the Government plans to take any action. [7234/04]
View answerThe Government continues to have concerns regarding the protection of the human rights of the Tibetan people, including political prisoners, and takes this issue very seriously. Officials in my Department continue to monitor the situation and are in regular contact with NGOs and other interested groups, who bring particular cases to our attention. These human rights concerns are raised with the Chinese authorities both bilaterally and through European Union channels, including through the framework of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue.
Last week, on 25 February 2004, my colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for overseas development and human rights, Deputy Tom Kitt, held a meeting in Dublin with representatives of Tibet Action Ireland, the Tibetan Community in the UK and the Free Tibet Campaign, at which the general situation in Tibet, and human rights concerns in particular, were discussed.
The issue of human rights in Tibet was raised with the Chinese Government most recently at the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue meeting, which took place in Dublin on 26 and 27 February 2004. At this meeting the EU raised its concerns at the human rights situation in Tibet, highlighting in particular the imprisonment of Buddhist monks. The EU urged the Chinese authorities to address the human rights situation in Tibet, investigate the reports of imprisonment of Buddhist monks and renew its contacts with the representatives of the Dalai Lama. In response, the Chinese authorities indicated a willingness, in principle, to continue to meet representatives of the Dalai Lama, though no date for a future meeting was given.
The Government has consistently called on the Chinese authorities to respect fully the rights of the Tibetan people, including prisoners. We will continue to address our ongoing concerns regarding the protection of human rights in Tibet, along with the general human rights situation in China, both bilaterally and within the framework of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue. We will also continue to encourage and support direct talks between the representatives of the Dalai Lama and the Chinese authorities.
