Vol. 443 No. 5
12 Mr. Currie asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the information, if any, he has regarding the recent disclosures concerning thousands of prisoners being held in camps in China; and whether he has discussed this matter with the Chinese Ambassador to Ireland and expressed concern about this information.
32 Mr. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the information, if any, he has regarding the recent disclosures concerning thousands of prisoners being held in camps in China; and whether he has discussed this matter with the Chinese Ambassador to Ireland and expressed concern about this information.
52 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the information, if any, he has regarding the recent disclosures concerning thousands of prisoners being held in camps in China; and whether he has discussed this matter with the Chinese Ambassador to Ireland and expressed Ireland's concern about this information.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 32 and 52 together.
I am aware of the reports that thousands of political prisoners are being held in China and of recent disclosures that a previously unknown group of dissidents are being held in prison in Beijing in connection with their role in the Tiananmen Square clashes in 1989. These reports are a matter of concern to the Government and we will be taking them up with the Chinese authorities.
The House will be aware that the question of human rights in China has been the subject of ongoing discussion between my Department and the Chinese authorities. In addition, it has been the subject of debate and consideration at the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva. At the most recent session of the Commission in March the Presidency of the European Union, speaking for all 12 members of the Union, expressed our joint concern that the administration of justice in China does not meet international standards in certain important respects, notably the lack of an independent judiciary, the arbitrary application and widespread use of the death penalty, the denial of rights to defendants, the extensive use of administrative detention and re-education through labour camps, and detention without trial for long periods.
In a resolution, tabled by the members of the Union, we drew attention to the continuing reports of violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in China, including torture, and severe restrictions on the rights of freedom of expression, religion, assembly and to a fair trial. China was successful in moving a no action motion and, consequently, the resolution was not put to a vote.
Will Ireland be to the forefront in ensuring that, as long as there are infringements of human rights and secret prison camps where thousands of people are engaged in forced labour, China will not be given the respectability it seeks by joining in many international fora such as the World Trade Organisation and others?
Yes, it is extremely important that international pressure on the Chinese authorities is maintained in relation to these abuses of human rights which were highlighted in recent weeks in regard to detention and labour camps. I hope to have discussions with the Chinese later this year and the issue of human rights will be very high on the agenda.
Will the Minister agree that it is desirable, following recent television pictures of people being marched to work in plants that export to the west, that the EU should take adequate counter measures to ensure that no economic entity, however defined in China, is in a position to export to the EU any product which was extorted by forced labour in camps? Will the Minister indicate the measures the Government is taking to ensure there is a comprehensive counter action programme by the EU to ensure that such produce does not appear in our markets and that any bodies in China which are partially participating in such programmes are wholly excluded from any access to western markets?
As I understand it, the matter of China will be on our agenda in the European Union and I certainly will reflect the views expressed in the House. As I said to Deputy Owen, pressure must be maintained on China in relation to the abuses I outlined and we will continue to do so both bilaterally and within the EU.
On an earlier occasion a previous Government introduced selective sanctions on produce imported from South Africa——
That is correct.
——on the basis that it was produced by slave labour. Will the Minister consider applying similar selective sanctions to China or encouraging the European Union to do so?
I recall the decision of the previous Government in the mid 1980s on South Africa. It was a very wise decision. The suggestion made by the Deputy warrants further consideration and I will have it considered.
The Minister will be aware that human rights abuses are not new in China. There have been press reports on this since 1989 and, indeed, before. We enjoy — if that is the correct word — full diplomatic relations with the Republic of China. We have an Ambassador from that country in Dublin and I presume that position is reciprocated in Peking. Will the Minister inform the House whether he or officials of his Department have spoken to the Chinese Ambassador here on human rights abuses in China? We know also that trade is increasing with the Republic of China; there will be a greater volume of trade this year than last year. Will the Minister consider raising with the Ambassador this level of trade which is ever increasing in China's favour? Will he consider linking the issue of trade with that of human rights abuses in China?
The Deputy is aware we have diplomatic relations with China. After the massacre in Tiananmen Square I refused to meet the Chinese for more than three years.
The Minister was not in Government then.
Let me explain. We must keep diplomatic relations open to put forward our views and concerns about human rights violations and we will continue to do so. I expect to have discussions with the Chinese later this year when I will raise the human rights issue as we understand it. This has been a matter of concern to the western world for a long time and pressure must be maintained. Trade is one area where pressure can be maintained.
The Minister stated that he will be meeting the Chinese Ambassador to discuss these recent disclosures. I am disappointed that contact has not been made but I hope that meeting will take place shortly. Will the Minister inform the House of the views he has made known to the Ambassador concerning another issue relating to China, that is, its treatment of Tibet?
That is extending the scope of the questions.
