Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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142. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will use the upcoming role of Ireland on the UN Security Council to highlight the ongoing human rights violations being perpetrated on ethnic Uighurs in China, in particular with his Chinese counterpart on the Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28459/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland has not been quiet on this matter, and I have spoken in this House about our concerns regarding the situation in Xinjiang on numerous occasions.

The promotion and protection of human rights and respect for the rule of law is central to Ireland’s foreign policy. The United Nations is the primary platform for multilateral cooperation among states, and Ireland engages in a principled way with the UN, across the three pillars of its work – development, human rights, and peace and security.

In our national statement at the UN Human Rights Council on 25 September, Ireland reiterated our deep concern regarding the treatment of ethnic Uighurs and other minorities in Xinjiang, and urged China to allow unrestricted access to the region for the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Ireland was one of 27 states to issue a Joint Statement at the UN Human Rights Council on 30 June 2020, which called on the High Commissioner to provide regular information about the situation in the region. Ireland 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 called for the Chinese Government to uphold its international obligations and respect human rights in Xinjiang.

This week, Ireland is supporting a Joint Statement at the UN Third Committee which reiterates our grave concern regarding the situation in Xinjiang, and recalls the exceptional letter of concern issued by 50 UN Special Procedures mandate holders which called on China to respect human rights and to allow immediate, meaningful and unfettered access to Xinjiang for independent observers.

At EU level, 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 later this year.

Ireland is now working on preparations for taking up our seat on the UN Security Council next January. We will engage openly with all members of the Council, including China, across the Council agenda. Our approach will be informed by our record as a country that has a consistent, principled and independent foreign policy.