Vol. 443 No. 5
40 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether pressure can be brought to bear on China in relation to Tibet and human rights abuse including forced labour in industrial production; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Representations have been and will continue to be made to the Chinese authorities by Ireland and our EU partners concerning Tibet and the human rights situation there, including the compelling of political prisoners to carry out hard labour whatever the state of their health.
One year ago EU Ambassadors in Beijing, including the Irish Ambassador, visited Tibet and raised these issues on that occasion. They presented lists of Tibetan political prisoners to the authorities in Tibet including the cases of three Tibetans who were arrested shortly before the Ambassadors' arrival. Those three individuals have since been released but I must express deep concern at continuing reports of the arrest and imprisonment of Tibetans in recent months.
During the session of the UN Commission on Human Rights earlier this year, we together with our EU partners once again declared our concern at the reports of widespread violations of human rights and restrictions of fundamental freedoms in China including Tibet. We and our partners proposed a draft resolution expressing concern at human rights violations in China as well as inadequate protection of the distinct cultural, religious and ethnic identity of the Tibetans but China was successful in moving a no action motion.
