Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 November 2012
54. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the need to stop the crime of organ harvesting in China (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51997/12]
View answerHuman rights are, and have always been, a priority of successive Irish Governments and a cornerstone of our foreign policy.
The Government closely follows human rights issues in China, including reports of organ harvesting, and is concerned about the situation. The information which accompanied your question was provided by the Irish Falun Dafa Association.
In April officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade met with representatives of this organisation and discussed ways in which human rights issues, including the treatment of Falun Gong, are raised with Chinese authorities by both Ireland and the EU.
Through the formal framework of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, which was established in 1995, the EU continues to share with China its experience in the field of human rights protection and promotion, and to urge China to take clear steps to improve the human rights situation. The most recent session of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue took place in Brussels in May 2012.
The Strategic Partnership for Mutually Beneficial Cooperation, agreed by Premier Wen Jiabao and the Taoiseach during the Taoiseach’s visit to China in March of this year, was a major step forward in strengthening bilateral relations with China. The Strategic Partnership reaffirms the commitment of Ireland and China to respecting and safeguarding human rights. As indicated in the joint statement, Ireland and China will conduct exchanges of expertise in governance and rule of law on the basis of equality and mutual respect.
Ireland, together with the EU, will continue to address human rights issues, including reports of organ harvesting, with China in a frequent and regular dialogue, through our contacts in both Dublin and Beijing and through the relevant multilateral channels.
