Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

198. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 539 of 31 March 2015, if he will report on any further representations made to the authorities of the People's Republic of China regarding the detention of women's rights activists. [15283/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that since PQ 539 of 31 March 2015, the five women’s rights activists have been released in China.On 14 April last, the EU Delegation in Beijing issued a statement noting with relief the release of the five women’s rights defenders, who were detained on the grounds that they wanted to launch a campaign against sexual harassment on International Women’s Day. The EU Delegation’s statement expressed regret however that the investigation of their cases has not yet been withdrawn as they are still subjected to “bail pending further investigation” which entails restrictions on their freedom of movement and communication. The EU Delegation also urged China not to restrict the activities of human rights defenders promoting the human rights of women, as the UN is preparing to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 4th World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action.

As I stated previously in my reply to the Deputy, Ireland continues to raise human rights issues with third countries including with the People’s Republic of China. Ireland also remains committed to advancing gender equality and women’s rights and is an active participant in the work of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the principal global policy-making body on gender equality. Ireland works to integrate the human rights of women, as well as a gender perspective, into the work of the UN Human Rights Council, including the Council’s programme of work, and when considering the content of resolutions and special mandates.