Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We have much to learn from the Chinese people, including about their history and their culture. There is a lot that we can learn and there is a lot we can share. I support the development of global, free and fair trade. The EU and Ireland should do what they can to support trade with China, and we need to build co-operation and friendship. I am also conscious of perceptions, and of Ireland and the EU being perceived in any way to lecture other countries. We are not perfect ourselves, and our record on the treatment of minorities in the past has often not been perfect. It is important, however, that we highlight universal values, and when we see human rights being abused that they are called out. It does not matter whether this is in Belarus, Palestine, Venezuela, Cuba, or closer to home in Hungary or Poland. When it comes to our foreign policy, it is a core question on what we stand for. Irish foreign policy has always been based on the respect of human rights. It has always been for standing against torture and oppression of minorities. It supports the rule of law. It is in favour of a free press, freedom of expression, including religious expression, as Senator Boylan has said, and the right to peaceful protest.

We have seen a Chinese Communist Party that has become increasingly authoritarian. We know about the Uighur genocide. This is not just about the oppression of human rights or the freedom of expression. We are talking about forced internment and mass sterilisation. As Senator McDowell outlined very effectively, we are aware of the threats being made against Taiwan and against anyone who co-operates with Taiwan. We are also seeing what is happening with fellow EU member state Lithuania at present. We have seen the oppression of the Christian minorities, the Falun Dafa and other religious minorities in China. We have seen the crushing of all dissent in Hong Kong and the national security law, which has seen more than 150 individuals rounded up, effectively without charge, just because of their public statements or political activity. This includes the media boss Jimmy Lai and the political activist Joshua Wong. These are activists, journalists, lawyers and academics. The Chinese Communist Party has decided to round them up simply because of their views.

In the case of Tibet, a situation that has been running for a long number of year, and Ireland has always shown solidarity with Tibet, the Chinese Communist Party continues to engage in its re-education programme. It deprives Tibetans access to their own language. On a regular basis, the UN committee against torture has expressed concern about the deaths and serious injuries of persons that are taken into custody in Tibet.

As we see the advance of new technologies globally, we must ensure the citizens' data are protected. I am very concerned about the growth of the surveillance society, which China and the Chinese Communist Party has allowed to develop.

I have also tabled an amendment on the Beijing Olympics, which I will speak to in a moment. I respect the Department's request not to push the particular amendment, and I will not. I do this because of work that is going on in the case of Richard O'Halloran. It is very important that we support the Department in its work to try to secure the freedom of an Irish citizens from an unlawful detention. I must question the Department's approach to date concerning Richard O'Halloran. There appears to be no progress. Perhaps the Minister of State will be able to respond to that. That said, I do not believe Ireland should be represented in any official or diplomatic capacity at the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. I would be disappointed and angry if the ambassador or any official from our embassy in Beijing was to attend those games in an official capacity. I do not believe that athletes should be disadvantaged in any way but we should support, including at EU level, a diplomatic boycott of the propaganda that will be the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. I am aware that our Minister of State with responsibility for sport, Deputy Jack Chambers, has indicated very clearly that he will not attend. I hope the Minister of State will also give a clear indication that the other Minister in the Department would not attend.

The responsibility is not just on Government. There must also be responsibility in the corporate world. If those in the corporate world who are sponsoring the Beijing Winter Olympic Games want take part in this propaganda exercise on the part of the Chinese Communist Party, they need to make very clear statements around human rights. These include some of the biggest companies in the world. Airbnb, Allianz, Coca-Cola, Intel, Procter & Gamble, Samsung and Visa. All of those companies are sponsors of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. They have a responsibility to indicate if they are on the side of global human rights and universal values, or if they are happy simply to support the increasingly authoritarian regime of the CCP.

The Olympic Games inspires so much of the world but the International Olympic Committee also has a role in ensuring that international values around human rights are upheld. In the selection of venues for future summer and winter Olympic Games regard must be had to the human rights record of any country. I strongly support this motion. It is core to Ireland's foreign policy that we put human rights at the heart of it.