Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I was delighted to sign the motion and I praise Senator McDowell and his colleagues for bringing it forward. I have always had an issue with the subject but, in more recent years, I have become even more concerned. I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I welcome his statement.

Fianna Fáil welcomes the debate and endorses the long-standing policy and practice of raising concerns about human rights and fundamental freedoms directly with counterparts in the Chinese Government in the context of the EU's relationship with China and at multilateral forums including the Human Rights Council of the United Nations and the United Nations General Assembly. There continues, however, to be deep concern over evidence-based reports on the treatment of the Uighur people in Xinjiang. Ireland, in line with all EU member states, adheres to the One China policy, which recognises the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole representative of China and, as such, does not maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Nevertheless, the One China policy does not preclude Ireland from developing cultural and economic relations or appropriate technical engagements with Taiwan.

The protection and promotion of human rights and freedom of expression is a core pillar of Ireland's foreign policy, and it is essential that China ensures full respect for the rule of law and complies with its obligations under national and international law with regard to the protection of human rights. Tensions are high in this region and, to be honest, I do not think the Chinese authorities have helped the situation in any way. In the early part of the 20th century, the Uighurs briefly declared independence but the region was brought under the complete control of Communist China in 1949. Xinjiang is currently designated as an autonomous region within China, like Tibet to its south, but the reality is the province has little autonomy from the Chinese state.

Over the years, central government policies have curtailed the Uighurs' religious, commercial and cultural activities, and a large number of the majority Han Chinese have been encouraged to move to the region. Beijing is accused of intensifying its crackdown after street protests in Xinjiang in the 1990s and again in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics in 2008. The street protests were largely demands for economic rights. A university student in Xinjiang told the BBC in 2014 they were banned from fasting during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, and reports from the region suggest Uighurs' local government officials have been banned from fasting and from attending mosques. In 2017, the Chinese President issued a directive stating, "religions in China must be Chinese in orientation, and ... adapt themselves to socialist society".

This directive led to a fresh crackdown on religious practice and particularly affected the Uighurs. It was outrageous behaviour. Xinjiang is now covered by a pervasive network of surveillance, including police, checkpoints and cameras that scan everything from number plates to faces. It is horrific and horrendous. The Chinese Government has stated the measures are necessary to combat separatist violence in the region but is accused of exaggerating the threat to justify the repression of the Uighurs, and we all know that is what is happening. Many prominent members of the ethnic minority have been imprisoned or have sought asylum abroad after being accused of terrorism.

A UN human rights committee found in 2018 there were credible reports China was holding 1 million Uighurs in political counter-extremism camps. A committee member, Gay McDougall, stated the Chinese Government has "turned the Uighur autonomous region into something that resembles a massive internment camp". Human rights charities, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have long accused Beijing of mass imprisonment and torture. Most inmates in the so-called re-education camps - we have watched a few documentaries on what exactly is going on there - have never been charged with a crime and have not received any legal representation. China has long denied operating internment camps and maintains the outside world does not understand the circumstances in Xinjiang but I think most of us here do understand them and most of the free world know what is being done there. China insists that Uighur militants are waging a violent campaign for an independent state by plotting bombings, sabotage and civic unrest. It is clear to all of us, however, that what is being done there by the Chinese authorities is a terrible human rights injustice against the people of that region.

I am delighted to support the motion. I compliment Senator McDowell and the others who brought it forward. I thank the Minister of State for appearing before the House but we must be in no doubt that what is happening in the Uighur region is not good and the Chinese authorities must bear responsibility for it. We must not have a soft attitude towards the way it carries on. I fully accept we do an increasing volume of business with China but business is one thing and the human rights of people in that region are another. I will always stand firm with those who stand up for those people.