Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 May 2012
174 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the way China is addressing concerns regarding human rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21300/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra179 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he discussed human rights issues in China during his visit there; the meetings during which this issue was discussed; the responses he received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17786/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 179 together.
Human 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 are confident 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.
