Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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18.To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to report on the violation of human rights against the Uyghurs in Xinjiang; the steps he and his EU colleagues have taken regarding this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31312/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland, along with our EU partners, remains deeply concerned about the credible reports regarding the treatment of ethnic Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang, including restrictions on freedom of religion and belief, arbitrary detention, widespread surveillance, forced labour, and forced sterilisations and birth control.

Human rights is a core pillar of Ireland’s foreign policy and Ireland is consistently proactive in raising our human rights concerns with China. I raised concerns about the treatment of ethnic Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang when I met with Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing in November 2023. The Taoiseach and President Higgins also expressed concern about this issue when they met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang during his visit to Ireland in January.

Ireland frequently raises this issue at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC). In January, Ireland delivered a statement at the Universal Periodic Review of China at the HRC. The statement focused on the treatment of ethnic groups in Tibet and Xinjiang, as well as the repression of civil society and freedom of expression, including in Hong Kong, and LGBTQI+ rights.

At the 56^thSession of the HRC in June, Ireland participated in a Human Rights Watch Side Event that discussed the human rights situation in China, with a particular focus on the situation in Xinjiang.

The EU also engages with this issue at the UN Human Rights Council. The EU’s statement at the 56^thsession of the HRC in June highlighted human rights concerns in Xinjiang and encouraged China to effectively cooperate with the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights and to implement the recommendations as set out their Assessment of the situation in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

Ireland welcomed the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue that took place in Chongqing on 16 June. Discussions were wide ranging and comprehensive and offered an important opportunity for open and frank exchange with China on issues of concern.

Ireland remains committed to ensuring that human rights remains on the agenda with China, and we will continue to raise our concerns, at the bilateral and multilateral level.