Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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427. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland's delegation at the United Nations attended a human rights briefing on the persecution of Uyghurs in China on 12 May 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26123/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland remains deeply concerned about the treatment of Uighurs and other ethnic minorities in the province of Xinjiang. We are closely following the situation, including in relation to reports of systemic abuse, torture, arbitrary detention, forced labour, forced sterilisations, and restrictions on freedom of religion and belief. As part of these efforts to remain informed about the situation in Xinjiang, Ireland was represented at a senior level at the briefing held on 12 May 2021 in New York.

Ireland and the EU regularly raise our concerns with Chinese authorities in both bilateral and multilateral contexts. Over the course of 2020, the EU raised its concerns regarding the human rights situation in China with Chinese authorities during its high-level engagements at the EU-China Summit and EU-China Leader's Meetings. 

Ireland has also raised concerns regarding the situation in Xinjiang in our National Statement at the UN Human Rights Council in March this year. Prior to this, we also reiterated our concerns in our National Statement at the UN Human Rights Council in September last year, which urged China to allow unrestricted access to the region for the High Commissioner for Human Rights.