Written Answers. - Human Rights Abuses.
John Perry
Ceist:
198
Mr. Perry
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the plans, if any, the Government has in place regarding the human rights situation in China to release all political and religious prisoners, to stop the sterilisation and forced abortions on its female population and to end the death penalty; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17552/99]
Human rights concerns play an important role in our relations with China. Ireland, together with our partners in the European Union, continues to press strongly and actively for substantial improvements in the human rights situation there, including in those areas specified by the Deputy.
There is an ongoing dialogue between the Union and China on human rights issues. Last week, for example, the EU ministerial troika met with the Chinese delegation in New York and human rights issues, such as the treatment of Chinese political dissidents and the situation in Tibet, were addressed. Earlier this month, Ireland was represented at an EU-China Human Rights Seminar organised by the Finnish Presidency, which was attended by NGO representatives, academics and Government officials from China and the 15 member states. Discussions focused on concerns such as the death penalty, protection of minorities, judicial and prison systems and women's human rights. During these informal talks, the question of China's "one child policy" and associated issues were raised by the Irish representatives. Preparations are now being made for the next formal round of the human rights dialogue which will take place in Beijing on 19 October. It is intended that this round will focus on the need to secure concrete and visible improvements in the human rights situation in China.
The Chinese authorities have taken some positive steps over the past two years which have given rise to hopes of a tangible improvement in the human rights situation there. These have included China's increased co-operation with the UN human rights system, for example, the signing of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as the visits by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. The Chinese authorities also agreed to report on Hong Kong under the two international covenants, while the EU Troika ambassadors were allowed to visit Tibet in May 1998. Through the human rights dialogue, China now regularly discusses issues of serious human rights concern, including individual cases, the death penalty, conditions of detention and Tibet.
However, these steps have not been sufficiently matched by improvements on the ground. The recent severe sentences against members of the China Democratic Party are one example of this. We continue to be concerned about the lack of tangible results coming from the human rights dialogue. The dialogue is not, and cannot be allowed to become, an end in itself but must give rise to real improvements in China.
The Government has, therefore, continued to express publicly Ireland's ongoing concerns about the human rights situation in China at the UN and other relevant human rights fora. We have also supported the expression of common EU concerns. At the 55th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, held in Geneva earlier this year, the EU Presidency – speaking on behalf of EU member states, regretted that the general human rights situation in China was still far from meeting internationally accepted standards. With regard to the rule of law, the continuing and widespread practice of administrative detention and the excessive use of the death penalty remained matters of particular concern to the EU. In particular, restrictions on religious freedom, the lack of the right to free speech, the situation in Tibet and particularly harsh sentences in Xinjiang were matters for concern.
The human rights situation in China will be raised by Ireland and its EU partners in the context of discussions at the forthcoming session of the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, which deals with social and human rights issues.
Michael D. Higgins
Ceist:
202
Mr. M. Higgins
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
his views on the disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama and the recent remarks by person (details supplied) on the occupation of Tibet.
[18004/99]
I am aware of the situation in relation to the 11th Panchen Lama, who was arrested in May 1995 and is now being detained at an unknown location in China. This is a matter of grave concern. The issue has been raised on several occasions with the Chinese authorities, and we will continue to do so until there is a satisfactory outcome.
As the Deputy will be aware, there is also an ongoing human rights dialogue between the European Union and China. Matters dealt with cover a broad spectrum of human rights issues, including the continued detention of political prisoners. The case of the 11th Panchen Lama constitutes an important part of this dialogue, and I would expect that it will be pursued there in similar fashion.
In relation to the second element of the question, the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate, nor is it the practice, to comment on statements made outside this House by private individuals.
