Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 1 Jun 1993

Vol. 431 No. 6

Written Answers. - Government Policy on Tibet.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

40 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will reconfirm Ireland's support for the Tibetan people's right to self-determination, as expressed in the Irish-sponsored UN General Assembly Resolutions of 1959 (1353 XIV), 1961 (XVI) and 1965 (2079 XX).

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

In 1959, 1961 and 1965 Ireland supported UN General Assembly Resolutions on the question of Tibet. The 1959 resolution called, inter alia, for respect for the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people and for their distinctive cultural and religious life. The 1961 resolution called, inter alia, for the cessation of practices which deprived the Tibetan people of their fundamental human rights and freedoms, including their right to self-determination. The 1965 resolution reaffirmed the earlier resolutions.

The People's Republic of China became a member of the United Nations in 1971, taking the seat occupied by the Republic of China, Taiwan. In 1979, when Ireland established diplomatic relations with China, the Irish Government recognised the People's Republic as the sole legal government of China. Diplomatic relations are conducted with China on that basis.

On 10 March 1993, the Dalai Lama in a statement said that Tibetans must continue to engage the Chinese Government in a dialogue that "is mutually beneficial and will eventually lead to earnest negotiations to peacefully resolve the question of Tibet." Ireland has noted this statement by the Dalai Lama and other recent statements which focus particularly on full respect for the human rights of Tibetans and on the need for dialogue and negotiations.

The central concern of the Government's policy towards Tibet is also the need for respect and protection for the human rights of Tibetans and for their distinctive cultural and religious life. Our concerns in this area, and those of our partners in the European Community, have been regularly brought to the attention of the Chinese authorities. The question of human rights abuses was raised directly with the authorities in Tibet by a delegation of EC ambassadors, including the Irish ambassador, which visited Tibet from 15 to 23 May 1993.