Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. The last time a motion was before the Seanad regarding the treatment of the Uyghur people by the Chinese Government, my colleague, Senator Ó Donnghaile, spoke clearly and directly on this matter. Unfortunately, he is unable to be with us this week and he has asked me to step in. I will reiterate what he said on that last occasion. Sinn Féin is deeply concerned about reports of the treatment of the Uyghur minority in China. Those reports are very concerning and warrant urgent attention. It is believed that 1 million Uyghur people are in prison. This is totally unacceptable. Amnesty International has expressed its alarm at the situation, as has the UN. Like all minorities and all people, the Uyghurs should be treated with dignity and respect. They should be able to live their lives free from intimidation or repression.For our part, Sinn Féin will continue to highlight the plight of those who face persecution and are denied basic human rights. Human rights are at the centre of our political mission. We have direct experience of what happens when a community is dominated by a political system which seeks to subjugate a people through discrimination, persecution and murder for economic, cultural and sectarian reasons. This is never acceptable and must never be tolerated, no matter where it is.

This State's seat on the UN Security Council will only mean something if it is used in support of repressed people around the world, including those such as the Uyghurs in China, the Palestinian people and anywhere else where injustice and abuse of human rights prevails. That means taking action and practical steps to support oppressed people, such as the Uyghurs and the Palestinians. It means using the diplomatic avenues available to us and leading by example. Seanadóir Black gave us a very good example with the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill, which the Seanad supported.

I would like to conclude by commending this debate and the importance of highlighting the plight of the Uyghur people.