Vol. 427 No. 6
65 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make representations to the authorities of the People's Republic of China in respect of the alleged abuses of human rights in China especially the imprisonment of the Catholic Bishop, Paul Li Zhenrong and Tibetan monks, Lobsang Tsondru, Terpa Wangdrank and Terpa Phulchung.
Ireland remains very concerned at reports of violations of human rights and restrictions of fundamental freedoms in China. This concern is shared by the other members of the European Community. The Community has raised these concerns with the Chinese authorities on a number of occasions over the last year, most recently when we raised the fate of certain Roman Catholic bishops who have died, and others whose lives were feared to be in danger. The Community reiterated its concerns in a statement delivered last week to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva.
In that statement the Presidency on behalf of the Twelve emphasised our particular concern about measures which threaten the distinct cultural, religious and ethnic identity of persons belonging to minorities, the situation in Tibet, the persecution of religious believers, and the imprisonment of people for expressing their political beliefs.
The statement also noted with appreciation the recent release of some political activists and it appealed to the Chinese authorities to grant a general amnesty for all those who have been detained because of their commitment to democracy and the peaceful expression of their political and religious beliefs and to guarantee respect for human rights, in accordance with international human rights standards.
Ireland and our Community partners are co-sponsoring a draft resolution at the UN Human Rights Commission on the human rights situation in China.
