Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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103. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the practice of organ harvesting from members of a group (details supplied) and other prisoners of conscience in China; the actions he has taken to address this disturbing practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33159/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Government follows closely reports of human rights violations against Falun Gong practitioners, including renewed allegations of organ harvesting. On 27 October 2016, officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade met with a representative of the Irish Falun Dafa Association and two human rights defenders during which the issue of organ harvesting was discussed.

Human rights issues are discussed on a regular basis with the Chinese authorities during both bilateral and multilateral meetings, including during the visit of Premier Li Keqiang to Ireland in May 2015.

Through the formal framework of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, which was established in 1995, the EU continues to share with China its experience in the field of human rights protection and promotion, and to urge China to take clear steps to improve the human rights situation. The latest session of this dialogue took place on 30 November and 1 December 2015, and provided the EU with the opportunity to express its concerns about a wide range of human rights issues in China, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities, freedom of religion or belief, freedom of assembly and association, arbitrary detention, torture and the death penalty. The individual case of Gao Zhisheng, a human rights defender detained for denouncing the persecution of practitioners of Falun Gong, was also raised at the dialogue. Most recently, human rights issues were discussed at the 18th EU-China Summit which was held in Beijing on 12-13 July 2016. The next session of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue is scheduled to take place before the end of 2016. The matter of alleged organ harvesting in China is due to be among the range of topics which will be discussed.

It should be noted that the Chinese Government denies accusations of human rights abuses against those who practice Falun Gong. It should also be noted that China has embarked on reforms in the area of organ donation with a view to stamping out illegal and unethical practices. However, the Embassy of Ireland in Beijing, in cooperation with our EU partners, is monitoring the Chinese reform efforts in the area of organ donation.

Trafficking of human organs is a deplorable activity which has developed into a global problem which violates the fundamental human rights and dignity of individuals. International cooperation is the only way to combat this crime, prosecute those behind it and protect vulnerable citizens who may be at risk of becoming victims of trafficking in human organs. In 2015 Ireland signed the Council of Europe Convention against Trafficking in Human Organs.

The Irish Government, together with our EU partners, will continue to address human rights issues with China, in frequent and regular dialogue, through our contacts in both Dublin and Beijing and through the relevant multilateral channels.