Barry Ward (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach agus cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit freisin. At the outset, let me say that I have read this report. It took a little bit of time because there is an enormous amount of detail, testimony and evidence in it. It is disturbing, in no uncertain terms, but it is not surprising, because this is not the first we have heard of what is happening in Xinjiang and to the Uyghur Autonomous Region.

There are Uyghurs living in Ireland and throughout the world, most of whom can never go home. They do not know what has happened to their families, parents, brothers, sisters or friends, as they can have no contact with them. What is happening there is unconscionable, indefensible and clear. However, nothing the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, said disagrees with that analysis. I never heard him say that this is not correct or not accurate. I know Sir Geoffrey Nice QC, one of the QCs involved in drawing up this report. I have worked with him and have enormous respect for him. I do not quibble with anything that is in this report. As extensive and disgusting as this is, I do not disagree or quibble with anything in it.

However, I also recognise that as members of the international community, we are bound by certain rules and conventions. The application of the rule of law being one of them, however unsatisfying that is. I would disagree with Senator Ruane in saying that the amendment that the Government tabled in any way diminishes the recognition of what is in this report. It recognises, unfortunately, that this not a report that the Government can accept, which I understand, however unpleasant and unhappy that is. I understand why we, as a Government and member of the international community that is bound by all of those conventions and rules, cannot wholesale accept it.

That said, we also know there are other more official and officially-based reports that are saying the same thing. I am not aware of any Government in the western world that is disavowing the contents of this or saying that what is being described in this report is not happening. We know it is. Senator Joe O'Reilly mentioned that many of the incidents he detailed were reminiscent of what happened in Europe in the past century. They are every bit as bad as that. There are between 10 million and 12 million Uyghurs in Xinjiang. The number of them undergoing the most appalling conditions, treatment and suppression and the activities to which they are subjected are detailed at the start of the report. They include re-education, forced sterilisation, torture and worse. Let there be no doubt for anybody watching this debate. I spoke to members of the Uyghur community yesterday. Later this month, the president of the World Uyghur Congress will come to Ireland. I hope we will all have an opportunity to meet him. I know he will meet officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and high-level members of the Government, and that is appropriate, fitting and welcome. I congratulate the Minister of State on taking that on board. I hope we will hear a lot from the president during his visit to Ireland.

Any Uyghur, anyone who knows Uyghur people or anyone involved in this issue who is watching this debate should be left in no doubt that there is no one in this House who disagrees with or disregards this report or does not take it incredibly seriously. Let there be no doubt about the message we send. No matter what motion we pass, whether we accept the Government amendment or otherwise, we all accept what is in this report. We are all disgusted by it. We all reject the Chinese treatment of these people.