Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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14. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his position on the national security law trial of a person (details supplied); the further action Ireland can take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4392/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Ireland has repeatedly expressed deep concern about the situation in Hong Kong since the introduction of the National Security Law in June 2020.

The National Security Law, together with subsequent legislation adopted in March 2023 introduces crimes such as treason, sedition and collusion with foreign forces, and allows for trials to be held behind closed doors. Such legislation has a chilling effect on fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong and risks undermines Hong Kong’s autonomy of under the One Country, Two Systems principle. Ireland was one of the EU countries to suspend its Extradition Agreement with Hong Kong, as a result of this legislation.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has also followed the specific case of this person with concern since August 2020.

The previous Tánaiste raised Ireland’s concerns about developments in Hong Kong with the Chinese Foreign Minister in Beijing in November 2023. Then-Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, also raised Ireland’s Hong Kong with Premier Li Qiang when he visited Ireland last year.

Ireland also frequently raises these issues the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), for example during the Universal Periodic Review of China in January 2024, and again in the 57^th session of the HRC in September 2024.

In November 2024, my officials met with Mr. Lai’s international legal team in New York and received an update of recent developments on the case.

Mr. Lai’s trial resumed on 6 January 2025. Officials at Ireland's Consulate General in Hong Kong have been observing the trial, alongside EU colleagues, since the beginning.

The Government remains committed to ensuring that human rights remains on the agenda with China, and we will continue to raise our concerns with regard to the situation in Hong Kong, at the bilateral and multilateral level.