Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised with the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China the recent Amnesty report which suggests the mistreatment of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18650/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am very concerned by the case the Deputy refers to, including reports of his mistreatment in custody. Ireland, together with EU partners, continues to follow this case closely. It has been repeatedly raised with the Chinese authorities through the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, including at the most recent round in Berlin on 15 May. The EU made clear its deep concern over actions against defence lawyers advocating human rights and contesting abuses of power and corruption, and about the continued harassment of the family of the individual in question. Ireland has also raised this case bilaterally with the Chinese authorities.

The EU continues to make clear to the Chinese authorities its view that in all cases due process should be respected, and the legal rights of defendants protected under Chinese law and on the basis of international standards. In this regard, the EU is also urging China to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.