Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
137. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the case of a detained person (details supplied); if he will give his support for their immediate release; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17880/23]
View answerMy Department has been contacted by Ms. Donghua Li in relation to her mother, Mrs Pingjun Ma.
The Government closely follows reports regarding the treatment of Falun Dafa practitioners by the Chinese authorities. Human rights concerns are regularly discussed with the Chinese authorities in bilateral meetings and in the appropriate multilateral fora.
The EU-China Human Rights Dialogue is the primary formal framework through which Ireland and other EU Member States share with China our experience in the field of human rights protection and promotion, and strongly urge China to take clear steps to improve the human rights situation there. The latest session of this dialogue took place on 17 February, and the EU raised a number of issues relating to freedom of religion and belief, as well as the rights of persons belonging to minorities, freedom of expression and association, arbitrary detention.
Ireland calls on all States to adhere to their international commitments and obligations, including for the immediate and unconditional release of all persons in arbitrary detention. Ireland also routinely expresses concerns at the discrimination, persecution, intimidation and violence endured by religious or other minorities in various parts of the world. In February 2021, Ireland joined a newly established coalition of 63 countries, led by Canada, to endorse a Declaration against Arbitrary Detention in State to State Relations. The Declaration aims to protect citizens of all countries from arbitrary detention abroad through coordinated action to uphold core human rights principles.
We strongly condemn all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur or who the victims are. The promotion of freedom of religion or belief is a priority for our human rights engagement at both multilateral and bilateral levels.
Ireland, together with our EU partners, will continue to address human rights concerns with China, in frequent and regular dialogue, through our contacts in both Dublin and Beijing, and through the relevant multilateral channels.
