Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2020
365. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has engaged with his Chinese counterparts and their officials in respect of Uyghur Muslims; the nature, subject matter and frequency of the engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18128/20]
View answer376. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the treatment of the Uighur community in China; if he will join the international community in condemning the human rights abuses; and if he has engaged with the Chinese Ambassador to Ireland on this matter. [18248/20]
View answer381. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the treatment of the Uighurs in China, including the forced internment of over a million Uighurs will be raised with his Chinese counterpart; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18355/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 365, 376 and 381 together.
I am aware of the credible reports of the treatment of ethnic Uighurs and other minorities in Xinjiang, and am deeply concerned about the reports of restrictions on freedom of religion and belief, arbitrary detention, widespread surveillance, and recent allegations of forced sterilisation in the region.
My officials and I have engaged regularly with the Chinese Ambassador on issues of human rights. Furthermore, Ireland, along with our EU partners and others in the international community, have been vocal about our concerns regarding the treatment of ethnic Uighurs and other minorities in Xinjiang. Ireland was one of 27 States to join a Joint Statement at the UN Human Rights Council on 30 June 2020 which reiterates our concerns, and urges China to allow unrestricted access to the region for the High Commissioner for Human Rights. It also called on the High Commissioner to provide regular information about the situation in the region, in order to safeguard the rights and freedoms that are guaranteed under international law.
Ireland has previously joined a Joint Statement at the UN Third Committee in October 2019, and a Joint Letter at the UN Human Rights Council in July 2019, which outlined our concerns in the region. The Joint Statement called for the Chinese Government to urgently implement eight recommendations made by the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination related to Xinjiang, including by refraining from the arbitrary detention of Uighurs and members of other Muslim communities. The Joint Letter called on the Chinese Government to uphold its international obligations, and to respect human rights in Xinjiang.
The treatment of ethnic minorities in Xinjiang was also raised at EU level during the EU-China Summit on 22 June 2020, and during an EU statement at the UN Human Rights Council on 1 July 2020.
The protection and promotion of human rights is a core pillar of Ireland's foreign policy, and Ireland will continue to monitor and assess the situation and, along with our EU partners, engage with Chinese authorities bilaterally and in multilateral fora as appropriate.
