Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2013
122. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will continue to raise the alleged discrimination and persecution of the Falun Gong faith with his counterparts in the Chinese Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27620/13]
View answerThe Government is concerned about the treatment of Falun Gong practitioners in China. Freedom of religious belief and expression is an issue which is discussed regularly with the Chinese authorities during both bilateral meetings and at European Union level. At these meetings, the Government re-iterates the great importance Ireland attaches to human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law and urges the Chinese authorities to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
In February, officials from my Department met with representatives of the Irish Falun Dafa Association 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. Treatment of Falun Gong practitioners is also raised by the European Union as part of regular political dialogue as well as during the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue. The next EU-China Human Rights Dialogue will take place later this month in China.
The Strategic Partnership for Mutually Beneficial Cooperation, agreed by the Premier Wen Jiabao and the Taoiseach in March 2012, 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 the alleged discrimination and persecution of the Falun Gong practitioners, with China in frequent and regular dialogue, through our contacts in both Dublin and Beijing and through the relevant multilateral channels.
