Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 November 2004
261 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that according to the Irish Falun Dafa Association, a person (details supplied) due to make an official visit here in November 2004, took part in the persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners in China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29710/04]
View answer262 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will be raising the persecution of persons (details supplied) with the Chinese Vice-Premier when he comes here in November 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29711/04]
View answer263 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will be raising human rights violations in China with the Chinese Vice-Premier during his upcoming visit here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29712/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 261 to 263, inclusive, together.
The Tánaiste and I held official talks with the Chinese Vice-Premier, Mr. Huang Ju, in Dublin Castle, on 16 November 2004. During our discussion on EU-China relations, I raised our concerns over human rights with the vice-premier. I also recalled that a number of specific issues were being addressed through the EU-China human rights dialogue and that the Government looked forward to continued progress in this regard.
The Chinese Vice-Premier informed me of the measures his Government is taking in the field of human rights, which included the addition of an express provision on human rights to China's constitution earlier this year. He stated that China wished to continue the regular EU-China human rights dialogues and confirmed that China would attend the next session of that dialogue, due to be held in February 2005. China has recently upgraded its presence in the EU-China human rights dialogue to director-general level.
The EU-China human rights dialogue, established in 1996, is the agreed formal framework through which the EU raises its concerns about individual human rights cases, including those of Falun Dafa practitioners, and more general issues, such as the protection of freedom of religion and expression, which have a particular impact on practitioners of Falun Dafa. Ireland, together with our EU partners, will continue to encourage the Chinese authorities to respect fully the human rights of all citizens. There will be further discussion of these matters during the EU-China summit, scheduled to take place in The Hague on 8 December 2004. I am aware of the claims made by the Irish Falun Dafa Association to which the Deputy refers.
