Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Government follows events in Tibet and the Xinjiang Uighur region on a very close basis. Ireland, together with EU partners, believes that constructive dialogue between the Chinese Government and representatives of the Dalai Lama is the best way to address differences and tensions in Tibet and to reach a solution that respects Tibetan culture, language, religion and identity. It is important for the long-term peace and stability of the region that the two sides come to an agreement on the future of Tibet. To this end, we continue to encourage a resumption of meaningful dialogue. Ireland respects the territorial integrity of China and recognises the necessity of preventing acts of terrorism, as well as the adoption of counter-terrorism strategies that seek to prevent acts of terrorism. We condemn all acts of violence. However, we also take the view that security forces should practice restraint in exercising their competences to avoid providing fuel for further radicalisation and support the EU’s call on the Chinese authorities to address some of the deep-rooted causes of the frustration of the Uighurs, ensuring their right to practice their own culture, language and religion is respected.

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 urge the Chinese Government to take clear steps to improve the human rights situation in that country. At the most recent dialogue, which took place in December 2014 in Brussels, the EU and China held discussions on human rights issues, including the rights of persons belonging to religious minorities. The dialogue allowed the two sides to have a detailed exchange of views on a wide range of human rights issues. There was a specific focus on recent developments in China, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities, especially in Tibet.

I had an opportunity at the weekend of raising the situation in Tibet and the matter of human rights with my counterpart from China, Mr. Wang Yi.

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