Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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369. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views in relation to reports of the plight of the Uighur population in north western China; if he plans to take action to deal with the situation; if a ban on the importation of products from countries which have been produced by forced labour will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25096/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland continues to be deeply concerned about the treatment of ethnic Uighurs and other ethnic minorities in the province of Xinjiang, including in relation to reports of forced labour.

Ireland, along with our EU partners, has addressed this issue in our contacts with the Chinese authorities, both bilaterally and in multilateral fora. Ireland was one of 27 States to issue a Joint Statement at the UN Human Rights Council on 30 June 2020 that reiterates our concerns, and urges China to allow unrestricted access to the region for the High Commissioner for Human Rights. It also called on the High Commissioner to provide regular information about the situation in the region, in order to safeguard the rights and freedoms that are guaranteed under international law.

Ireland has previously supported a Joint Statement at the UN Third Committee in October 2019, and a Joint Letter at the UN Human Rights Council in July 2019, which outlined our concerns in the region. The Joint Statement called for the Chinese Government to urgently implement eight recommendations made by the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination related to Xinjiang, including by refraining from the arbitrary detention of Uighurs and members of other Muslim communities. The Joint Letter called on the Chinese Government to uphold its international obligations, and to respect human rights in Xinjiang.

Issues relating to the regulation of international trade are ultimately a matter of exclusive EU competence, falling under the EU's common commercial policy. This is not a matter on which Ireland can act alone. The deterioration of the human rights situation, including the treatment of minorities in Xinjiang was raised by EU leaders with China on 14 September and it was agreed to discuss these issues further at an EU-China Human Rights Dialogue in Beijing later this year.

The protection and promotion of human rights is a core pillar of Ireland's foreign policy, and Ireland will continue to monitor and assess the situation and, along with our EU partners, engage with Chinese authorities bilaterally and in multilateral fora as appropriate.