Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2012
184 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he raised the discrimination and persecution of the Falun Gong faith with the Chinese authorities in his recent visit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18001/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraHuman rights are, and have always been, a priority of successive Irish Governments and a key plank of our foreign policy. The Government is concerned about the treatment of Falun Gong practitioners in China. Last week, officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade met with representatives from the Falun Dafa Association of Ireland and discussed the ways in which human rights issues, including those relating to the Falun Gong, are raised with the Chinese authorities both by Ireland and by the European Union. Freedom of religious belief and expression is an issue which is discussed regularly with the Chinese authorities during both bilateral meetings and at European Union level. At these meetings, the Government re-iterates the great importance Ireland attaches to human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.
Through the formal framework of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, which was established in 1995, the EU continues to share with China its experience in the field of human rights protection and promotion, and to urge China to take clear steps to improve the human rights situation. The treatment of Falun Gong is also raised by the European Union as part of regular political dialogue as well as during specific Human Rights Dialogue with China.
The Taoiseach recently returned from his first official visit to China. During the visit, the Taoiseach and Premier Wen Jiabao released a joint statement establishing a Strategic Partnership for Mutually Beneficial Cooperation between Ireland and China. This new Strategic Partnership will facilitate practical, effective and result-oriented cooperation so as to further develop the bilateral relationship. It covers several important sectors including education, tourism, agriculture and food as well as science and technology. The two sides agreed to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges and underlined the leading role of such exchanges for the development of bilateral relations. The Strategic Partnership, which is a major step forward in bilateral relations, provides for a strengthened political and economic dialogue between China and Ireland and promotes closer consultation and cooperation between my Department and its Chinese counterpart.
The Strategic Partnership reaffirms the commitment of Ireland and China to respecting and safeguarding human rights. As indicated in the joint statement, Ireland and China will conduct exchanges of expertise in governance and rule of law on the basis of equality and mutual respect.
We hope that, as China develops, it will be possible for further progress to be made in ensuring that individual rights are enjoyed by all China's citizens. We will continue to address these matters in a frequent and regular dialogue, including the EU human rights dialogue and also bilaterally, in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation.
185 Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he raised any specific human rights issues on his recent visit to China; and with whom did he raise them. [19944/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraHuman rights are, and have always been, a priority of successive Irish Governments and a key plank of our foreign policy. Through the formal framework of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, which was established in 1995, the EU continues to share with China its experience in the field of human rights protection and promotion, and to urge China to take clear steps to improve the human rights situation.
The Taoiseach recently returned from his first official visit to China. During the visit, the Taoiseach and Premier Wen Jiabao released a joint statement establishing a Strategic Partnership for Mutually Beneficial Cooperation between Ireland and China. This new Strategic Partnership will facilitate practical, effective and result-oriented cooperation so as to further develop the bilateral relationship. It covers several important sectors including education, tourism, agriculture and food as well as science and technology. The two sides agreed to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges and underlined the leading role of such exchanges for the development of bilateral relations. The Strategic Partnership, which is a major step forward in bilateral relations, provides for a strengthened political and economic dialogue between China and Ireland and promotes closer consultation and cooperation between my Department and its Chinese counterpart.
The Strategic Partnership reaffirms the commitment of Ireland and China to respecting and safeguarding human rights. As indicated in the joint statement, Ireland and China will conduct exchanges of expertise in governance and rule of law on the basis of equality and mutual respect.
We hope that, as China develops, it will be possible for further progress to be made in ensuring that individual rights are enjoyed by all China's citizens. We will continue to address these matters in a frequent and regular dialogue, including the EU human rights dialogue and also bilaterally, in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation.
