Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

321. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of his engagement with the Chinese Government with regard to the treatment of the Uighurs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5407/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ireland, along with our EU partners, remains deeply concerned about the treatment of Uighurs and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang, including in relation to reports of arbitrary detention, forced labour, forced sterilisations, and restrictions on freedom of religion and belief in the province of Xinjiang. 

We have been active in raising our concerns in relation to this matter. On 6 October 2020, Ireland was one of 39 countries to support a Joint Statement at the UN Third Committee which reiterates our grave concern and recalls the exceptional letter of concern issued by 50 UN Special Procedures mandate holders, which called on China to respect human rights and allow, immediate, meaningful, and unfettered access to Xinjiang.

Ireland also raised this matter during our national statement at the UN Human Rights Council on 25 September, where we urged China to allow unrestricted access to the region for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Ireland has also previously supported a number of statements at the UN Human Rights Council, in June 2020 and July 2019, and at the UN Third Committee in October 2019. These statements, among other things, urged China to urgently implement the eight recommendations made by the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination related to Xinjiang, and to uphold its international obligations and respect human rights in Xinjiang. They also called on the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to provide regular information on the situation in the region, in order to safeguard the rights and freedoms that are guaranteed under international law. 

In addition to this, the EU has raised this matter with Chinese authorities directly on a number of occasions. 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 also during the EU-China Summit on 22 June. 

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 to address our concerns.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

322. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of his engagement with the Chinese Government with regard to the protests and arrests that took place during and after the 2019-2020 Hong Kong pro-democracy protests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5408/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Irish Government is closely following the situation in Hong Kong, particularly in relation to a series of arrests that have been made since the introduction of a National Security Law in the region.

The EU has been active in raising its concerns in relation to the situation in Hong Kong, both via statements and by raising our concerns directly with Chinese authorities, particularly at the most recent EU-China Summit and EU-China Leader's Meeting. 

Ireland fully supports the most recent statement made by the EU in relation to this matter on 7 January, following the mass arrest of over 50 former opposition lawmakers and civil society activists. This statement called for the immediate release of those arrested, and urged the authorities to respect Hong Kong's rule of law, human rights, democratic principles and high degree of autonomy under the "One Country, Two Systems" principle. Almost all of those arrested were later released on bail. 

In addition to this, on 28 July 2020 the Council of the EU adopted Conclusions on Hong Kong which set out a coordinated package of response measures in various fields, including the operation of Member States' extradition agreements and other relevant agreements with Hong Kong. In line with these Conclusions, the Government agreed on 13 October to suspend Ireland's Extradition Agreement with Hong Kong.

This matter was discussed most recently by Member States at the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 25 January, where it was agreed to continue with the implementation of the measures outlined in the Council Conclusions. 

Ireland, along with our EU partners, will continue to monitor the situation and raise our concerns with Chinese and Hong Kong authorities as appropriate.