Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 339: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has received correspondence from a group (details supplied); if he has had contact with the Chinese authorities on the matter; if not, if he will do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38515/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have received a letter from the group to which the Deputy refers.

The Government remains deeply concerned about the treatment of Falun Gong practitioners in China. Questions in this regard — including specific cases — are raised regularly with the Chinese authorities, within the context of our own regular discussions with them on issues of human rights and fundamental freedoms and through the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue.

We viewed very seriously allegations that have been made claiming live organs have been harvested from Falun Gong practitioners in detention. Extensive enquiries on this issue were made by my Department within the EU and UN frameworks in 2006/7, as well as through our Embassy in Beijing and with a variety of human rights organisations. Enquiries were also addressed to the Chinese authorities. The matter is being kept under review but, to date, we have failed to identify sufficient reliable and independent evidence to substantiate the allegations.

I am aware of both the specific cases referred to in the correspondence to which the Deputy refers.

The case of the individual arrested on 16 June has been referred to our Embassy in Beijing and it is also being taken up with the Chinese Embassy in Dublin. The second case referred to was raised by the EU with China in the context of the EU-China Dialogue process earlier this year. The Chinese authorities have responded to this case, stating that no appeal has been launched against the three-year sentence imposed on him on 22 December 2006. However, I will ensure that the case is raised again both bilaterally and by the EU.