Written answers

Tuesday, 10 May 2022

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Human Rights

Photo of Aindrias MoynihanAindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

410. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his view on possibly compromising trade relations with China by forming a human rights position on the Chinese government’s treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23001/22]

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

Ireland has a wide-ranging relationship with China, which covers political, economic, cultural, and people-to-people links. The Government takes a holistic approach to this relationship; our trade relationship with China is not considered separately from our values and priorities including in relation to human rights.

The protection and promotion of human rights remains a core pillar of Ireland’s foreign policy. In the pursuit of our bilateral relations, the Government takes the full breadth of Ireland's values and interests into account. We will remain alert to situations of concern as they arise.

In this context, Ireland frequently raises issues of concern, including regarding the Uyghurs in Xinjiang, with the Chinese government directly and in appropriate multilateral fora. Ireland remains deeply concerned about the evidence-based reports of human rights abuses and violations in Xinjiang. I raised these concerns when I met my Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in China last May. We have most recently raised our concerns at the 49th United Nations Human Rights Council in March 2022, including in a national statement, and in the UN Third Committee on Human Rights in October 2021. I am pleased to hear confirmation that UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet will travel to China and will visit Xinjiang. This needs to be a transparent mission, with unfettered access.

Ireland has strong trade figures with China. In 2020, total bilateral trade (goods and services) was worth €28.8 billion. Total trade in goods for the period January -December 2021 was worth €20 billion.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.